The Bill: HB265
Title: UC Eligibility for Education Support Professionals
What Does it Mean: In compensation, further providing for benefits based on service for educational institutions. So, unemployment benefits for educational support staff, bus drivers and janitors.
The Go Big Small Biz Network’s Position: We oppose: When you are a support staff you already know when you sign your employment papers that the job is 9 months a year. Who will pay for it? School property taxes?
Passed: L&I Committee along party lines.
Quotes:
Rep. Miller(D), “massive turnover”
Rep. Kinkead(D), “the cost we can fix in the legislative budget”
Rep. Grove(R), “increase school property tax”, “bus companies will be privatized.” Rep. Dawkins(D),“what are we willing to pay for our children.”
The Bill: HB200
Title: The Family Care Act: Putting Pennsylvania Families and Small Businesses First
What Does it Mean: An Act establishing the Family and Medical Leave Program, the Family and Medical Leave Fund and the Family and Medical Leave Advisory Board; conferring powers and imposing duties on the Department of Labor and Industry; and imposing penalties.
The Go Big Small Biz Network’s Position: We oppose. This puts undo stress on small businesses especially those with 20 employees are less. This is also funded by the employee and employer of up 35% increase in payroll tax.
Passed: L&I Committee along party lines.
Quotes:
Rep. O’Mara(D), “We should be ashamed”, “This is a worker development issue”, It would relieve social programs”, Lower reliance on SNAP”.
Rep. Barger(R), “Why can’t we do this?, We are broke.” “Private insurance offers it”, “I’m a NO because I don’t think we will do it efficiently and effectively.” “We have blown through the surplus and our rainy day fund.”
Rep. Berstein(R), “How is it funded?, Payroll tax? By employee and employer?”, “concerned about increase in payroll tax”, “35% increase”, “huge fan of private option”.
Rep. Gleim(R), “What about the self-employed farmer?”, “How does that work?”, Self-employed can buy into it”. “I’m a NO, maybe make it an option then progress it, slow process.”
Rep. Rossi(R), “Another Bill against the business owner”, “How are businesses going to survive without employees?”
Rep. Grove(R), “Government programs are amended to add more benefits, future general assembly will look at the pot of money and raid it.” “Fail upon the finances of themselves, politicians will expand and increase cost, increase tax and any surplus they will wipe it away and raid it.”
Labor & Industry Hearing Video
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