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Government shutdown looms after Trump-backed bill fails; Environmental groups sue CA Air Resources Board over biogas credits; NY elected officials work to electrify municipal buildings; Need a mental health boost? Talking hot dog is here.

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President-elect Trump repeats his threats to jail Jan. 6th committee members, while also putting a stop-gap spending plan in jeopardy. A court removes Fani Willis from Trump's Georgia election interference case. The FAA restricts drones in New Jersey, and a Federal Reserve rate cut shakes markets.

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Rural folks could soon be shut out of loans for natural disasters if Project 2025 has its way, Taos, New Mexico weighs options for its housing shortage, and the top states providing America's Christmas trees revealed.

ME naval workers seek state-backed loans in case of government shutdown

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Monday, March 11, 2024   

Federal workers in Maine are backing legislation to help ensure they can pay their bills in case of a government shutdown.

Those who might be furloughed or required to work without pay are requesting access to state-backed, no-interest loans.

Alana Schaeffer, president of the Metal Trades Council at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, said the 6,000 workers overhauling the nation's submarines deserve support.

"I watch the anxiety of our workers who are just trying to feed their family, pay their bills, lace up their boots and come in and serve their country every day," Schaeffer observed.

Schaeffer pointed out the loans would be repaid when the government reopens and employees receive retroactive paychecks. The legislation is sponsored by Sen. Troy Jackson, D-Aroostook, president of the Senate, and received little pushback in a committee hearing. The next federal funding deadline is March 22.

Legislation to fully fund federal agencies was supposed to have been enacted into law by October 1, the start of the 2024 fiscal year, but lawmakers have instead relied on a series of stopgap spending measures to keep the government open.

Schaeffer noted while Congress debates immigration and foreign aid packages, federal workers are left wondering about their next paycheck, and area businesses are wondering if they can remain open.

"That's money that people are paying at our local restaurants, at the gas station down the road," Schaeffer explained. "When they have to make cuts, the rest of our local community also see the ripple effects of that."

The 2018 government shutdown left federal employees without being paid for 35 days. Schaffer added she trusts Maine lawmakers will support the workers who remain dedicated to America's defense, regardless of the political climate in the nation's capital.


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