Tuesday, June 11, 2024
“It is disappointing that this legislation has been vetoed by the governor. The bill would have provided important relief to low-income workers. Legislators will return next year with a renewed focus on passing the original version of this bill, which the Senate passed two years ago.
“H.B. 5431 would have had a limited impact on employers and businesses and was designed to address an increase in an employer’s unemployment compensation costs by providing state funds to meet this need. We are determined to return with the original concept which will address the governor’s concern regarding “criteria for eligibility or the specific types of assistance that will be provided.”
“Our neighboring states of New York and New Jersey have passed legislation providing unemployment compensation to workers who have been on strike for two weeks or more; these bills were signed into law by Democratic governors. Workers do not strike casually or without justification; striking usually results only when employers have been intransigent or have refused to bargain in good faith. These workers often sustain hardships due to the painful decision to strike, which this bill sought to address and ease.
“The commitment to advance equity for workers will continue in the next session.”
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