NEWS
PAGE 3 | THE ALABAMIAN
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013
Federal government enters first shutdown in more than a decade BY HANNAH STEIN, MANAGING EDITOR
For the first time since December 1995, the federal government is in a shutdown. Congress failed to pass spending bills to fund government activities by the Sept. 30 deadli contention between House Republicans and Democrats is the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act — more commonly known as “Obamacare.” Generally, the Democratic party supports the act, believing it expands access to care and lowRepublican party believes it will hurt employers and overreaches Photo by Rachel Crisson
Art Stalk will spook Main Street again BY LINDSAY HODGENS
The second Halloween themed artwalk will soon haunt Main Street. Artwalk originated in a mutual attempt between the townspeople and the university. It serves to bring attention to the city’s artistic talent. Under the leadership of university professor–turned–mayor Holrst artwalk landed along Main Street in October 2011. Visitors were able to browse artists’ wares from the sidewalk. Due to the event’s popularity, it has grown to include two more dates in May and August and now
features over 50 artists. The October event now has a Halloween theme, hence the name Art Stalk. After Cost’s election to mayor, leadership of this event shifted to Tiffany Bunt, who serves as the senior graphic designer for the university. Bunt says she is hoping that this event will be “a way for [people] to be a little bit more aware of what’s on Main Street.” In addition to purchasing art from on-site artists, visitors will have the opportunity to participate in a costume contest. Those interested in entering an original The University Montevallo costume inofthe invites you and your family to contest can ART STALK the Montevallo Artwalk simply come with Halloween-themed street party by October the main 26, 2013 tent 3-7 during p.m. Main Street, The Montevallo event. the Event includes: 2nd Annual More than 50 artists & vendors Art Stalk will Costume contest for all ages (show yourplace creativity with on original costumes) take Drawing to win ghost sculpture Main by Andy Street Cummings Campus S a tpresented u r dby Ghostwalk ay, The Alabamian Oct.and 26, from so much more! 3:00–7:00 p.m. For more details and vendor information, visit:
www.montevalloartwalk.com
Montevallo Artwalk is a cooperative effort by the City of Montevallo & the University of Montevallo with support by the Montevallo Arts Council.
Free Matt Pitt BY
KAYLA
GUILLOT
Matt Pitt, Birmingham evangelist for The Basement, has been arrested for imond time. Although the facts reported insinuate Pitt is guilty, his supporters are pleading for his release by insisting that he is being unfairly targeted. Freepitt.com was created to allow supporters to voice their concerns and gather to help release Pitt from jail. The website contains documents, photos, videos and recordings to prove his innocence. Demonstrators gathered several times in September for the #FreePitt Awareness Tour at the Shelby County Courthouse and Birmingham City Hall. ideo on the webpage outlines the movement and why
supporters are so passionate about the cause. The bulk of the video is about segregation rights and repeatedly outlines Birmingham as the “hotbed” of the civil rights movements. It portrays Pitt as a martyr and insists that, for over a year, the police have been harassing him and his famat The Basement. ily as w “This site plays host to the evidence supporting the innocence of Matt Pitt and the proof of injustice to those who plotted against him.” This statement appears below the video along with a paragraph about their overall goal. Bail has not been set since the arrest was made on Aug. 20; a court hearing is set for Oct. 15.
the federal government’s authority. ble Care Act itself does not directly affect the federal government’s budget; however, the Republican majority in the House and a Democratic Senate cannot agree on certain provisions of the spending bill regarding the health care act. A divided Congress is trying to remedy the situation, but, in the meantime, many federal programs and agencies are closed and more than 800,000 employees are furloughed, or placed on unpaid leave. Both senators and representatives are required by law to be paid during the shutdown, but some members of both parties have decided to either refuse or donate their paychecks as a sign of solidarity with the American public. On Oct. 5 Congress made a rare bipartisan decision to ensure backpay for furloughed employees, but they won’t receive any compensation until a decision is made. All federal programs and jobs are divided into two categories: excepted and non-excepted essential or “excepted” will continue to function at least partially. Agencies that are a permanent part of the law, receive multi-year funding or have independent sources of funding will remain national security or protect life and property are also considered excepted. ernment that are affected range from the
Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) to the panda cam at the National Zoo. In fact, the zoo itself is closed, along with all national parks and museums. NASA and the National Parks Service websites display nothing more than a sentence or two referencing the shutdown and direct visitors to the Department of the Interior’s home page. Many of the databases students need for research are no longer accessible. Ironically, the Affordable Care Act is largely unaffected because it is funded independently of the congressional budget. Clinton administration in 1995 lasted a record-breaking 21 days. According to economist Brian Kessler of Moody’s Analytics, a shutdown lasting three to four weeks such as that would cost the economy about $55 billion. With the debt ceiling approaching — Congress must vote to raise the debt limit by mid-October — the shutdown could reduce consumer confidence and cut economic growth. For a more comprehensive list of programs and how the shutdown affects them, visit www.cnn. com/interactive/2013/09/politics/ government-shutdown-impact.
The Washing ton Monument — along with all other national parks, museums and monuments — is closed until Congress reaches a decision on the federal budget.