When political dysfunction in Washington shuts down the government -- or if State government gets shutdown during a budget standoff -- it's federal and state employees and their families who suffer. Federal and state employees in Maine maintain roads and our Navy submarines, protect children from abuse, provide Social Security benefits to seniors, protect aviation & public safety and much more. When they are furloughed or forced to work without pay, they struggle to pay for heat, feed their kids and pay their bills.
Senator Troy Jackson has a bill in the Maine Legislature, LD 2113, “An Act to Provide Relief to Federal Employees Affected by a Federal Shutdown,” to alleviate financial pressure on state and federal workers during shutdowns. The amended version of the bill provides access to no-interest loans for up to $6,000 per employee. Federal and state employees don’t cause government shutdowns and they shouldn’t be pawns in partisan games. LD 2113 will provide temporary relief needed until they get paid again.