Pence, study say state OK in shutdown

FORT WAYNE – The Indiana sky is not falling during the partial federal government shutdown, according to Gov. Mike Pence and a personal finance website.

Indiana ranks 50th in a study by WalletHub on how states and the District of Columbia have been affected by the federal government shutdown, which began Oct. 1. Only Iowa is less affected by the shutdown than Indiana.

Meantime, Pence said Tuesday the state government has funds available if need be to continue the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as food stamps, and the Women, Infants and Children program through October and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program through November.

More than 1.2 million Hoosiers combined benefit from the three programs.

Pence also said the Indiana National Guard has been spending $33,000 a day to pay 244 federally reimbursed employees who provide support to the Guard. Most of the employees have been recalled to work after being furloughed last week, Pence said.