Emergency Bill to Assist Federal Employees

January 23, 2019

For over a month, many federal employees have been reporting to work and performing their duties - without pay.
 
The government shutdown affects at least 1,500 Connecticut workers and they are struggling to pay their bills while they wait for their paychecks to resume. 

To help our friends and neighbors, I am pleased with legislation passed today in the House of Representatives making available unemployment assistance and interest-free loans of up to $5,000 to federal workers.

The measure,  House Bill 5765:
 

  • Creates a no-interest state-backed loan program during the shutdown
  • Adjusts statutes for collecting unemployment compensation benefits
  • Allows towns to extend their property tax/fee deadlines

The bill was approved in the House, 127 to 15, and in the Senate, 32 to 1, and immediately signed by Gov. Ned Lamont.