Local officials plan for possible shutdown

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Some local government officials in Virginia are starting to consider contingency plans for worst case scenarios as a budget impasse drags on toward a possible unprecedented state shutdown on July 1.

Democratic Gov. McAuliffe has pledged to keep state government fully open and running even if no state budget is passed before July, but Republicans believe the governor’s ability to spend absent a budget is extremely limited and several facets of state spending will be affected.