As Massachusetts prepares for full weight of government shutdown to hit next month, a Berkshire leader says key social safety nets are sure to be hit hard – WAMC

Report on the Potential Impact of a Federal Government Shutdown on Sustainable Development Goals in Massachusetts

Introduction

A prospective federal government shutdown poses a significant threat to the progress of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. State Representative Leigh Davis has highlighted that the cessation of federal funding, expected to affect new funding periods in November, will disrupt critical programs and assistance networks. This report analyzes the potential impacts through the lens of the SDGs.

SDG 2: Zero Hunger & SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The shutdown directly jeopardizes food security and health outcomes for vulnerable populations, undermining SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): This program, which supports over one million Massachusetts residents with approximately $240 million in monthly benefits, is at risk, threatening the primary food source for many households.
• Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC): Serving 90,000 residents, including pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and children under five, WIC provides access to healthy foods and nutrition education. Funding for this program could be exhausted within one to two weeks of a shutdown, compromising maternal and child health.

SDG 4: Quality Education

Progress toward SDG 4 (Quality Education), particularly target 4.2 concerning early childhood development, is threatened by the potential disruption of educational programs.

• Head Start: This program supports 12,000 low-income preschoolers across the state. A freeze on grant renewals effective November 1st could lead to the closure of numerous facilities, denying children access to essential early education.

SDG 1: No Poverty & SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

The shutdown is poised to exacerbate poverty and energy insecurity, creating setbacks for SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy).

• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): A pause in new funding after November 1st could delay applications for heating support. This places low-income and elderly residents at risk of being without heat by mid-November, directly impacting their ability to afford basic utilities and live in safe conditions.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

The broader economic stability of the commonwealth is at risk, impacting several targets within SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

1. Small Business Administration (SBA): A halt in the issuance of new loans will stifle entrepreneurship and the growth of small businesses, which are vital for job creation.
2. Federal Workforce: Thousands of federal employees in Massachusetts face furloughs without guaranteed back pay, creating immediate economic hardship and undermining principles of stable and decent work.
3. Tourism and Parks: Minimal staffing at federal parks will curtail their ability to generate revenue, negatively affecting the local tourism economy.

Impacts on Other SDGs and State-Level Response

The shutdown’s effects extend to other goals, including SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) through the freezing of federal research grants, and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) via disruptions to visa and immigration processing.

State Mitigation Strategy

The Massachusetts legislature is considering measures to cushion the impact on its residents and its progress toward the SDGs.

• Stabilization Fund: The state holds over $8 billion in a “rainy day” fund, which could potentially be used to support affected programs.
• Budgetary Cushion: The FY26 budget was proactively prepared with an approximate $860 million cushion to anticipate federal cutbacks.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   • SDG 1: No Poverty – The article discusses threats to several social safety net programs (SNAP, WIC, LIHEAP) that are crucial for preventing low-income individuals and families from falling into poverty.
   • SDG 2: Zero Hunger – The potential funding cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program directly threaten food security for vulnerable populations, including over a million residents on SNAP and 90,000 on WIC.
   • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – The WIC program, which is at risk, provides pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and children under five with access to healthy foods, nutrition education, and referrals to health care, all of which are essential for maternal and child health.
   • SDG 4: Quality Education – The article highlights that the Head Start program, which supports early childhood education for 12,000 low-income preschoolers, faces a grant renewal freeze and possible closures.
   • SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – The potential pause in new funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) jeopardizes access to affordable heating for low-income and elderly residents, which is a key component of affordable energy access.
   • SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The article mentions that thousands of federal employees are being furloughed without guaranteed back pay, directly impacting decent work. Additionally, the halt on new loans from the Small Business Administration (SBA) hinders entrepreneurship and economic growth.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   • Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all. The article details how a government shutdown threatens key social protection programs like SNAP, WIC, and LIHEAP, which are designed to provide a safety net for the poor and vulnerable.
   • Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round. The potential disruption to SNAP and WIC directly impacts the ability of over a million residents, including infants and children, to access sufficient food.
   • Target 3.2: By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age. The WIC program specifically serves pregnant women and children under five, providing nutritional and health support that is critical to achieving this target.
   • Target 4.2: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care and pre-primary education. The article’s mention of the Head Start program, which supports 12,000 low-income preschoolers, directly relates to this target of providing pre-primary education.
   • Target 7.1: By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services. The threat to LIHEAP funding, which provides heat support to low-income and elderly residents, directly challenges the goal of ensuring access to affordable energy.
   • Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men. The furloughing of “thousands of Massachusetts employees” without guaranteed back pay is a direct setback to achieving full and productive employment.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   • Yes, the article provides several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure the impact of the funding crisis on the identified targets.
   • For SDG 1 & 2: The number of beneficiaries of food assistance programs is a direct indicator. The article states “over a million Massachusetts residents relying on [SNAP]” and WIC “serves 90,000 residents statewide.” The monetary value of “almost $240 million in monthly benefits” for SNAP is also a key indicator.
   • For SDG 3: The number of beneficiaries in the WIC program (“90,000 residents statewide”) serves as an indicator for the population receiving critical maternal and child health support.
   • For SDG 4: The number of children enrolled in early childhood education programs is an indicator. The article specifies that Head Start “supports 12,000 low-income preschoolers across Massachusetts.”
   • For SDG 7: While not providing a precise number, the article implies an indicator by mentioning that “many low income and elderly residents might be without heat support,” pointing to the population segment affected.
   • For SDG 8: The number of workers affected by furloughs (“thousands of Massachusetts employees”) is a direct indicator of employment disruption. The statement that there are “no new loans coming out of” the Small Business Administration is a qualitative indicator of reduced support for small enterprises.

Summary of Findings

Source: wamc.org