Minnesota Shutdown Hits Poor; Aid Groups Scramble (Here comes the sob stories and "blame the GOP")

npr ^ | 7/1/2011 | staff

[tobyhill]

In Minnesota Friday, highway construction came to a halt, rest stops and state parks closed. And 22,000 state workers have been laid off. The reason: a protracted budget dispute between the state's Democratic governor and Republicans who control the Legislature.

In the absence of talks between Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton and GOP legislative leaders, the shutdown was rippling into the lives of people like Sonya Mills, a 39-year-old mother of eight facing the loss of about $3,600 a month in state child care subsidies.

Until the government closure, Mills had been focused on recovering from a May 22 tornado that displaced her from a rented home in Minneapolis. Now she's adding a new problem to her list.

"It just starts to have a snowball effect. It's like you are still in the wind of the tornado," said Mills, who works at a temp agency and was allowed to take time off as she gets back on her feet. But after the shutdown, she also has to care for her six youngest children, ages 3 through 14, because she lost state funding for their day-care and other programs.

[newnhdad]

here’s one.. my roommate used to make ramen noodles and top it with ketchup and a slice of velvetta and mix it up. He’s now a very successful small business owner and I think he probably buys a better grade of cheese.

[vette6387]

I guess she never learned to keep an aspirin between her knees! I mean EIGHT KIDS and only 39, she must have been perennially pregnant! The state should have paid to find her another pastime or buy her a TV. Either that or lock up her sperm donor.

[Kaslin]

NPR

nuff said

[WOBBLY BOB]

he could, but only if the prison takes collect calls.