Capitol and California - State Politics:

140,000 California workers could be furloughed by feds
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McClatchy Newspapers:

Published: Thursday, Apr. 7, 2011 - 12:00 am | Page 14A

Last Modified: Thursday, Apr. 7, 2011 - 6:31 am

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Published: Thursday, Apr. 7, 2011 - 12:00 am | Page 14A

Last Modified: Thursday, Apr. 7, 2011 - 6:31 am

California, with 140,000 federal workers, would feel the impact of a government shutdown. Here is how it might work, according to officials.

• The key test for which workers are furloughed is whether the employee is considered critical to protecting life or property. Workers supported by another source of funds may also be retained.

• The federal Bureau of Reclamation employs about 1,100 workers throughout its Sacramento-based Mid-Pacific Region. Some maintain dams or operate pumps, delivering irrigation water to farms. They appear safe; water would keep flowing.

• At Yosemite, Sequoia, Kings Canyon and other national parks, visitors already inside park boundaries would be given 48 hours to leave. "Limited personnel needed to protect life and property on public lands, such as law enforcement, emergency services and firefighting personnel, will be exempted ..." said Interior Department spokeswoman Kendra Barkoff.

• Social Security checks would still be delivered, as would the mail.

• The IRS would process electronically filed returns and collect payments. But paper-filed returns would not be processed, and refunds would be held until furloughed employees return.

http://www.sacbee.com/2011/04/07/353428 ... z1IxjsmBFu