Members of the Arkansas House of Representatives on Monday approved a bill to end a government shutdown in Jefferson County, and another to give the attorney general more power over the direct democracy process.

County employees have worked without pay since the start of the year as quorum court members have repeatedly been unable to pass a budget in a slate of meetings. Rep. Glenn Barnes, D-Pine Bluff, spoke in favor of legislation he co-sponsored to end the shutdown on the House Monday.

"We have some 300 people who have gone a month and almost two weeks without pay," he said. "They are now losing their insurance, many are struggling to paying water, light, gas, house notes and rent, and they're in dire need of some legislation to act quickly."

Arkansas House passes government funding, ballot initiative bills