Governor Janet T. Mills Addresses the State on the Coronavirus Pandemic in Maine. Behind Her is Dr. Shah.
Governor Janet T. Mills is taking strong steps to protect Maine workers and small businesses impacted by the 2019 novel coronavirus to protect small businesses. Governor Mills requested that the Small Business Administration (SBA) provide economic support loans to Maine small businesses in order to help them overcome any temporary loss of revenue due to the coronavirus.
To protect Maine workers, Governor Mills submitted emergency legislation sponsored by Senate President Troy Jackson and House Speaker Sara Gideon, that temporarily expands eligibility for unemployment insurance to individuals whose employment has been impacted by COVID-19.
Lae last week, the Small Business Administration announced it would make economic injury disaster loans available to small businesses upon the request of a state’s governor. In a letter to the SBA, Governor Mills certified that Maine’s small businesses have been impacted by COVID-19 and are eligible for the SBA loans. With the Governor’s letter, Maine is one of the first states in the country to certify that virus’ impact on its small businesses, which positions it to become one of the first state’s to be approved for the SBA loans. According to the SBA, the loans offer up to $2 million in assistance for small businesses and may be used to pay fixed debts payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact.
Meanwhile, the emergency legislation submitted by Governor Mills temporarily revises eligibility requirements for the Unemployment Insurance (UI) program to include situations not typically covered such as: 1) employer temporarily ceases operation due to COVID-19; 2) an individual is quarantined with the expectation of returning to work once the quarantine is over; or 3) an individual leaves employment due to risk of exposure or infection or to care for a family member. It also temporarily waives the one week waiting period for benefits so that workers may obtain benefits immediately and ensures that claims for UI will not affect an employer’s experience rating.