January 23, 2019

State Rep. Kathy Kennedy: Orange Lawmakers Vote to Help CT Federal Workers

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HARTFORD – State Representatives Kathy Kennedy, Themis Klarides and Charles Ferraro voted in favor of public-private partnership today with banks that will aid Connecticut federal employees who are currently not receiving pay because of the Federal Government shutdown.

Under the bill, affected employees are eligible for up to three loans from banks, each equal to their monthly after-tax pay, up to $5,000, less unemployment benefits. The bill prohibits interest on the loans for 270 days after the shutdown ends.

“We are doing the right thing for those federal workers that need our help. Workers should not have to lose their homes or worry about feeding their families due to Washington D.C. dysfunction. I’m proud of my bipartisan vote today to assist those workers,” said Rep. Kennedy.

Rep. Klarides said, “I am proud to support the emergency legislation to assist federal workers in Connecticut most adversely affected by the continuing partial government shutdown. This is a bipartisan response that will positively affect hundreds of workers and their families.”

Rep. Ferraro said, “We are once again showing the people of Connecticut that lawmakers here are not the same as in Washington D.C. Our federal delegation should take note of what their legislators are doing back in their home state. I urge our federal lawmakers to work together to find a solution to open government back up.”

The bill also authorizes municipalities and municipal subdivisions to establish a tax-deferment program for such employees’ real and personal property or motor vehicles taxes, or water or sewer rates, charges or assessment payments; and

In addition, if federal law or guidance allows them to do so, authorizes such employees to receive unemployment compensation benefits (generally, federal employees that must work without pay during a shutdown are ineligible for unemployment benefits).

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