Committee Votes Unanimously to Advance Bill to Support State & Federal Workers During Government Shutdowns

The Legislature's Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee has voted unanimously, 12-0, to endorse a bill that would provide temporary financial support for state and federal employees during government shutdowns. LD 874 (Rep. Kristi Mathieson), An Act to Provide Relief to Federal Employees Affected by a Federal Shutdown, would protect federal and state employees by allowing them to apply for state-backed no-interest loans when they are furloughed or required to work without pay during a federal shutdown.

In 2018 and 2019, federal employees in Maine were furloughed and forced to work without pay during a 35-day federal government shutdown, the longest government shutdown in US history.

LD 874 faces further votes in the Maine House and Senate and will need to be funded - either in the budget or through the Appropriations process - so there is still a lot of work to do!