Rep. Klarides-Ditria Supports Public-Private Partnership to Help CT Federal Workers

HARTFORD – State Representative Nicole Klarides-Ditria 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.

“Not paying federal workers who help protect our national security is something we can’t just sit back and watch happen,” said Rep. Klarides-Ditria. “I wish lawmakers in Washington D.C. would open government back up, but in the meantime, Connecticut federal workers can be rest assured that they can pay their bills. We should continue to keep the pressure on our federal delegation to work together and compromise to find a way to get our Federal Government open.”

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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