How Would a Federal Shutdown Affect Briscoe Field?

A potential showdown is brewing in Washington as the federal government nears the end of its fiscal year 2013.

As many media outlets are reporting, the federal fiscal year ends Sept. 30. And with no new spending bill passed by Congress, a shutdown is possible.

That has effects across America. But one key federal influence in Gwinnett County apparently will not be affected by a government shutdown.

The county-owned airport, Briscoe Field in Lawrenceville, uses air traffic controllers that operate under a Federal Aviation Administration program. And it looks like they will stay on the job no matter what happens in Washington.

Gwinnett County spokesperson Joe Sorenson said this week that the county has received "no official information from the FAA about potential changes in tower operations at Briscoe Field."

Also, npr.org has reported that air traffic controllers fall under a category in which spending would continue: 

"... funding will continue for those functions "necessary to the discharge of the President's constitutional duties and powers" (the military part) or if the "suspension of the function would imminently threaten the safety of human life or the protection of property" (air traffic controllers, Border Patrol).

Previously, the FAA announced that the Briscoe Field towers would remain open at least through September after the federal sequestration had threated to shut them down.

County officials recently have been paying more attention to Briscoe Field after a privatization effort failed in 2012. Millions of dollars in improvements are planned in coming year.

-- What are your views on a possible federal government shutdown? Tell us in the comments below.