CRN testifies before the Labor and Public Employees Committee
General Law Committee finishes work for the year
News and notes from around the State Capitol
News and notes from around the state
- Last night, CRN President Tim Phelan testified before the General Assembly’s Labor and Public Employees Committee in opposition to HB 6859 AAC Predictable Scheduling. You can review CRN’s testimony by going here.
- As all of you know, the issue of scheduling of employees is one of the highest priorities of any retail store and the key to that is being able to meet the employee’s needs and our needs to fulfill customer needs. A delicate balancing act, one that requires that retailers have the most flexibility in setting schedules.
- That flexibility is also the key reason so many folks select retail as a place to work.
- But the bill before the Labor Committee would disrupt that balance and, in our opinion, would place sever restrictions on retailers’ ability to be flexible in scheduling – and it would also put restrictions on employees by removing any flexibility they might have.
- We expect that the Labor Committee will report this bill out of its committee, but that is not the end of the issue.
- We are going to need your help in stopping this bill. So, look for more information on how you can help us in that effort.
General Law Committee finishes work for the year
- Yesterday, the General Law Committee officially wrapped up its business for the year, ahead of its scheduled deadline.
- One key bill that the Committee took action on – which we are keeping a close eye on – is HB 1103. You can review the final version of the bill the committee passed out by going here.
- With the General Law committee done with its work, and Labor expected to be done next week, that narrows the key Committees that CRN follows down to the Finance Committee, Environment Committee and the Judiciary Committee.
Other news and notes from around the State Capitol
- Connecticut towns have been required for decades to publish legal notices in newspapers, but a bill before the General Assembly — along with a recent Appellate Court decision — could clear the way for legal publication on town websites instead. New Haven BIZ has the details here.
- A labor arbitrator has ordered $45.4 million in bonuses for 36,000 essential state employees, about $1,200 per worker, to recognize the risks they faced staffing essential services, with no vaccine protection, during the worst of the coronavirus pandemic. CT Mirror reports on the details here.
- Gov. Ned Lamont rejected calls this week by business owners and House Republicans to pause the collection of a new mileage tax on tractor-trailers that raised $4.3 million in its first month, the majority from out-of-state truckers. CT Mirror reports the story here.
- A bill discussed in a public hearing this week would set a minimum wage for drivers that work for rideshare apps and delivery services. CT Examiner has the story here.
- Connecticut Attorney General William Tong sued four gun companies accused of mailing illegal firearm parts with no serial numbers to an undercover state investigator, the latest legal filing by states and cities seeking to crack down on untraceable ghost guns. Associated Press has the details here.
- Connecticut legislators are in the early stages of considering an amendment to the state constitution that would ensure environmental rights are basic civil liberties. WNPR reports on the possible legislation here.
News and Notes from around Connecticut
- Connecticut’s hospitals have been burdened by financial instability since the start of the pandemic, according to a new report commissioned by the Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA). Fairfield County Business Journal highlights the report here.
- CT Health Horizons has awarded $30.5 million to 20 nonprofit state colleges and universities to help address the nursing and social worker shortage across the state. New Haven BIZ highlights to program here.
- The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic drove Connecticut hospitality occupancy rates into the ground, but now a comeback is underway. Hartford Business Journal has a status report here.