About 2,400 local workers are affected by the shutdown, and 1,600 have been working without pay since the federal shutdown started in late December.
Senate President Donna Soucy and House Speaker Steve Shurtleff are eyeing legislation to pay such workers unemployment benefits. But Employment Security Commissioner George Copadis says states have been told not to do that.
"We've been advised by the feds, that if you pay these workers you will not be reimbursed. In addition, we'd be out of compliance, and I’m not sure what other ramifications would happen at that point."
Governor Chris Sununu says he'd consider any feasible state plan to address the shutdown, but that the Washington needs to act.
