Sen. Brown hears AFGE testimony on loans, transit and tax deferrals for federal workers during shutdowns

Sen. Sandra Brown introduced Senate Bill 268 to the committee and invited witnesses from the American Federation of Government Employees to describe measures the bill would allow to support Delaware federal employees during a federal government shutdown.

AFGE witnesses (introduced in the record as Carlos Baker and Philip Glover) said the bill would authorize time‑limited, practical assistance for affected federal workers, including interest‑free loans, free use of public transit and deferral of certain state, county and school taxes. Philip Glover said these steps are not grants: "This isn't a grant. This isn't a giveaway. It's a loan," and described the assistance as a statewide complement to local food‑bank efforts.

Glover and Baker noted Delaware has substantial federal presence — including the VA in Wilmington, Dover Air Force Base, TSA workers at Wilmington and the Coast Guard — and said many federal employees there have been affected by multi‑week shutdowns in recent years.

Committee members expressed support and several asked to be added as co‑sponsors; the witnesses framed the bill as a practical way states can provide relief while federal pay continues to be debated at the national level.