Should cities have the right to raise wages or implement sick leave?
By SueN
The same party that screams about government overreach doesn't have a problem with stepping on cities' autonomy to write their own laws.
Last week, Rick Snyder's Republicans in Michigan passed a bill that blocks cities from raising wages or implementing paid sick leave.
According to the text of the legislation, “the regulation of the employment relationship between a nonpublic employer and its employees is a matter of state concern.”
However, Rick Snyder and his cronies are not concerned about whether or not workers in their state can survive on wages or take a day off when they're sick.
They're only concerned about whether or not their buddies in big business have to miss out on one cent of possible profit.
And, to make matters worse, Michigan is the 12th state to enact laws that prevent cities from raising their minimum wage or mandating paid sick leave.
It's bad enough that the United States Congress can't get their act together to help workers, but it's absurd that cities and towns should be blocked from stepping in when our national lawmakers fail.
Governor Snyder and his buddies should block this law, and the other 11 states should remove similar legislation from their books.
Comments
#2
As is usual the Republicans are in bed with the corporations and will do anything to please their masters, The time has come for the people to make a stand while we still can, First step Vote , Second step Vote for progressive ideals, The third step is no Fear, Get up stand up for your rights !!!
#3
Rick Snyder is a complete tool for the corporate powers, just like Scott Walker in Wisconsin, Rick Scott in Florida, etc.
#4
It's times like these that make me embarrassed to be an American. It's like watching preschoolers fight over a fig newton. We need more "Bernies" in local, state and federal offices.
#5
I think that it's past time to take to the streets in all States, in sizes greater then the Occupy people ever saw. Might be better if we made sure the military equipment is taken away from law enforcement first, or not. They aren't listening in Washington or anywhere unless it's from demonstrations in large quantity and seriousness. Take it directly to Town Halls as campaigning increases. Ask the real questions of them and make them sweat. Be the media types that current media lacks and demand answers to tough questions. They can't take the heat.
#6
Maybe it's time to lop a few heads, a la the French Revolution, n'est pas? Maybe I'm only halfway kidding!
#7
The Cities are under the rule of the State they are located in, so the state has a right to protect the poor and underemployed by banning cities from passing Min. Wage laws that are known to hurt the poor, while it may help the children of the rich.. However, I tend to believe that one should let foolish cities do what they want, and learn economics the hard way .... but then that would be mean to let the poor suffer so that the town leaders will get an education.
#8
there is already a million rules to protect workers already. Before someone is hired they know the wages and benifits if they are not adequate they don't work there or work there until they find something better and leave. As a business owner I can honestly say it is getting harder and harder to run a business everyday. I would not recommend it to anyone.
#9
If the City should be 'free' to set wages, then why not employment, prices and the amount of output as well?
That would be true freedom.
#10
It's all about consolidating power into the hands of a few. In Indiana, it started when they eliminated the Justices Of The Peace from the judicial system; more recently, they merged the Marion County Sheriffs department with the Indianapolis Police department to form the Indianapolis Metropliton Police Department.
Fewer Hands - more power.
#11
RJSchundler -- Do have any links to studies that try to show that raising the min wage hurts poor families more?
#12
kend -- If there are no jobs at Walmart or McDons, where are those other jobs?
#13
One has to question Snyder's continued success pushing anti-worker legislation in a state that was once a major part of the prosperous Northeast Manufacturing Sector in this country ! After all, a majority of Wisconsin's population have consistently given him the ability to rape and pillage at will ! Further signs of a U.S. Population that has lost sight of the past battles that were fought to achieve social and economic equality for all citizens, a sad commentary that predicts the continuation of a devolving social order that is essentially morphing into a Plutocracy !
#14
Decentralization of power is one of the ways to let self-identifying minorities protect themselves. When Republicans yell "States' rights", they sound as if they like that protection. But really, they use that argument only when they can't get the federal government to do what they want. Now they're working on the other end, centralizing power in those states where Republicans control the state government and Democrats control most of the major cities.
#15
These fascist pigs will take note when people get sick of the bs. Past time to take to the streets and physically run these jerks out of town. And if they think there aren't those among us that will fight they are mistaken. Gather around Bernie and try the peaceful way first. It can not go on much longer, they are causing real pain to innocent American citizens that obey the law and only want to work and make a living. They are taking everything from the working class. It has to end.
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