Watching & Waiting: Federal Workers In Md. Impacted By Government Shutdown

WASHINGTON (WJZ) -- The first day of the shutdown and Marylanders are already feeling the pain.

Meghan McCorkell has more on the impact here.

Nearly 300,000 federal workers live here in Maryland. Now many face an uncertain future.

Workers were sent home.

"Your hours stop and your paycheck stops right away," said Jon Wingerberg.

Services suspended, parks shut down, events canceled. The reality of the government shutdown is setting in here in Maryland.

Protesters gathered in Perryville to vent frustrations.

"This is not how you run a country. If that's what they're in there for, then they need to be removed themselves and then they'll understand how it is to go without money and a paycheck," said Gwen Miller.

From the Social Security Administration, NASA Goddard, Fort McHenry, Fort Meade and even the Naval Academy, thousands of Maryland federal workers are now on furlough.

Governor Martin O'Malley estimates lost wages from those federal workers means the state of Maryland will lose an estimated $5 million in tax revenues and $15 million in economic activity for each shutdown day.

He released this statement Tuesday:

"The federal government shutdown that Congressional Republicans forced upon us will needlessly hurt hardworking Maryland moms and dads who are federal employees; harm small and large businesses across Maryland -- including health, aerospace, and defense companies; and threaten our State's budget in a time of economic recovery."

"In this year's Maryland budget, we worked with the General Assembly to set aside funds to lessen the impact of sequestration -- another needless blow struck by Congress. We have flexibility on how to use these funds, and we're actively assessing all of our options so that we can minimize the harmful effects of prolonged Congressional recklessness on Maryland families and businesses."

At Annapolis' Naval Academy, all of the 930 civilian staff and faculty have been furloughed. That means classes where military instructors aren't able to substitute have been canceled.

It appears this Saturday's highly anticipated Navy-Air Force game in Annapolis is also in jeopardy, as already the Department of Defense has suspended all intercollegiate athletics at the service academies. A record 40,000 tickets were already sold for the game.

Navy officials say a decision about Saturday's football game will be made by Thursday.

Wednesday night's soccer game against Howard has been canceled.  It is not known at this time if the game will be rescheduled.

Area businesses like Fado Irish Pub rely on football fans.

"The game doesn't happen, I'm going to have a pretty sad Saturday," said Bernie O'Brien.

Back in Baltimore, one bar is trying to ease the pinch for furloughed federal workers.

"Our happy hour is 4-7 and federal workers, your first drink is on us," said Tony Harrison.

Many will just be happy to go back to work.

Shout Out! Marylanders Weigh In On The Government Shutdown: