Services seek 'essential' status for possible shutdown

During a possible government shutdown, not all functions of government actually shut down. Certain functions will be deemed "essential" and will continue in the event of a shutdown.

Those functions that that affect life, health and personal safety will continue, but there is dispute about what should be on that list and ultimately a court will decide what those functions are.

A number of agencies are organizations are making the case what they do should be included in the list of "essential" functions. Among them is the Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault, which provides services for victims of sexual violence.