California Gov. Gavin Newsom told reporters that California will offer unemployment benefits to federal employees working without pay after meeting with TSA workers at the Sacramento International Airport, Thursday, Jan. 17, 2019, in Sacramento, Calif. Newsom announced last week that Californians employed by the federal government could get benefits during the government shut down despite guidance saying it's not allowed. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
Governor Gavin Newsom is pledging to offer unemployment benefits to federal employees in California. Newsom had some harsh words for Washington after the U.S. Department of Labor said that people working without pay are not eligible for unemployment benefits.
Newsom met with TSA workers at the Sacramento airport yesterday, who are going on four weeks without pay. Last week, Newsom encouraged the state’s more than 25-thousand furloughed workers to apply for unemployment insurance. He is now vowing to help get them the assistance they need. People who receive unemployment benefits will be expected to reimburse the state once the government reopens and they get back pay.