Trying to prevent collateral damage with government shutdown

The federal government shutdown on schedule to start at midnight tonight, could change life for Philadelphia’s residents and visitors.

Joel Naroff, the President of Naroff Economic Advisors in Holland, in Bucks County, said clearly a shutdown would affect businesses throughout the Philadelphia region, “A lot of people work for the government, but it’s not just people who are working for the government,” said Naroff.  “If you’re working on contracts for the government, anything that is government-related is going to have to shutdown.”

Naroff said a shutdown would be bad news for government workers, and for the economy that’s just starting to improve. “I don’t expect that we’ll go back into a recession or have a negative quarter, but clearly hopes for a solid growth quarter in the spring, looks like that just may not happen as a combination of both a government shutdown–if it lasts for a long time–and the higher energy prices,” he said.

Naroff said people not getting a paycheck will be cautious about spending.Some other dollars might not be spent because people decide not to visit Philadelphia’s historic sites.  The National Park Service plans to shutter park facilities.

But Jeff Guaracino, a spokesperson for the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation, said there will still be plenty for visitors to do.”We’re not as worried about the shutdown,” said Guaracino.  “We’re worried about the perception that Philadelphia’s attractions are closed–and they are not!  We have many attractions that are open for business and ready to welcome visitors: The National Constitution Center, Historic Philadelphia, Liberty 360, The Betsy Ross House, the attractions along the waterfront, the President’s House, the National Jewish History Museum.”Guaracino said luckily this isn’t peak tourism season.  

The National Constitution Center, in partnership with WHYY, invites visitors to voice their opinions on the possible government shutdown until 5 p.m. Friday.