State senators heard testimony Wednesday on a Republican bill that would prevent cities and counties from enforcing a wide variety of local worker protections.
The plan would prevent any local regulations of businesses that involve employment discrimination, work hours and benefits. Local ordinances that ban employers from asking for a prospective employee’s salary would also be prohibited.
The bill is similar to several local control restrictions introduced by Republicans in recent years that have been backed by Wisconsin’s business community but opposed by organized labor.
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“Simply put, this bill is about power,” said Wisconsin AFL-CIO Secretary Treasurer Stephanie Bloomingdale. “The power to overreach and tell citizens in their own communities that they don’t know what’s best for them.”
Businesses that support the plan say there has to be a limit to the amount of local regulation companies have to deal with if they’re going to be successful in Wisconsin.
“We don’t believe that businesses should have to guess what employment regulations apply based on where they happen to be doing business in the state,” said Scott Manley, a lobbyist for Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce.
The plan has yet to receive a vote in committee.
The state Legislature could adjourn for the year as early as February.
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