Assemblyman Kevin Byrne (R,C,Ref-Mahopac) is pleased to announce bill (A.881) has passed the Assembly. Introduced by Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski (D-New City), Byrne co-sponsored the bill which would allow local governments to grant temporary extensions to employees affected by the federal government shut down to pay back local taxes. According to news reports from Westchester News 12 and the Daily Voice, it is estimated that 16,000 federal government employees in New York are affected by this shutdown.
“While we are limited in what we can do at a state level for federal employees who are out of work due to the shutdown, it is important to do what we can as every little bit helps,” said Byrne. “This is the longest federal government shutdown in the history of our country. These New Yorkers have been without paychecks since before the holidays, affecting their ability to pay bills, put food on their tables and money into savings accounts. I am happy we can at least offer some assistance in granting this extension until they can get back on their feet, hopefully sooner rather than later.”
This bill is currently on the Senate Standing Committee on Local Government’s Agenda for Tuesday, January 22, and awaits the governor’s signature upon passage.