Lorig speaking out at the Southern States Energy Board Annual Meeting
Dear Friend:
Shutdown Unemployment Assistance Available Like many of you, I am watching in horror as the Republicans in Congress, once again, play chicken with a budget shutdown, risking great suffering across this country. Our community has many federal workers who would be affected immediately by a government shutdown. My office is here to assist in any way we can.
In the event of a government shutdown, the state has some protections available for federal employees. For those who are furloughed, and therefore not working or being paid, they are eligible to apply for Unemployment Insurance. Once the shutdown is over and when these employees receive retroactive pay, they will be required to pay the UI funds back. The link to start that process is here. Those who are essential workers, required to continue working but not being paid, are eligible for the state's no-interest loan program. This will provide funds until the government reopens, when the funds would then need to be paid back. I will share information about how to access that program as soon as it is available.
I have been in communication with the Maryland Department of Labor to make sure this information and details on how to access both of these programs are widely distributed.
For those who need assistance accessing food—during this or any period—there is information about free food distribution here.
Southern States Energy Board I am honored to have been appointed to serve on the Southern States Energy Board as the Maryland House of Delegates representative by Speaker of the House Adrienne Jones. This Board, which is an interstate compact of 16 states, two territories, and a presidential appointee, considers energy policy for the Southern United States. Earlier this month I attended its annual meeting in Greenville, South Carolina. I participated in the Board meeting and on a panel where I described Maryland’s commitment to climate action and the clean energy policies I have been promoting.
Dominion Offshore Wind After a summer of many indoor meetings, I thoroughly enjoyed taking a field trip to look at offshore wind turbines. Organized by the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, we visited test turbines currently spinning off the coast of Virginia Beach. These two 6MW turbines were installed by Dominion Energy and are already producing electricity and sending it into the distribution grid. These are the precursors to the thousands of megawatts they will be installing in the next several years. Seeing these powerful and beautiful machines up close and imagining them up and down our coasts honestly gives me hope for a future on this planet. I will continue working with all our partners and stakeholders to bring the 8.5 GW authorized through the POWER Act to fruition in Maryland as quickly as possible.
Speaking of the POWER Act… Want to know more details about our plans for offshore wind in Maryland? Listen to my interview with Sheilah Kast on WYPR’s “On the Record” here.
Join me this Saturday! Enjoy the (fingers crossed!) beautiful fall weather on a “Walk and Talk” or “Sit and Sip” with me this Saturday, September 30th, at the MLK Park in White Oak. The walk begins at 10 a.m. Afterwards (around 11:30 a.m.), I will stay and meet with anyone who would prefer to sit and sip a nice drink while discussing the statewide issues nearest and dearest to them. Interested? Sign up here for more details.
Student Election Worker Program It’s never too early to learn how our elections are run. High school students can work as election workers to receive either student service learning credits or a $250/day stipend. Maryland’s primary election will be held on May 14, 2024. Learn more here.
Stay in Touch Need help with a state issue? Please contact my office at lorig.charkoudian@house.state.md.us or leave us a message at (410)-841-3423.
Onward,
Lorig
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