Quite a few employment law developments this week, although more so in politics rather than in the courts. Between Nancy Pelosi and Elizabeth Warren making news this week in regard to the minimum wage fight, President Donald Trump has created his fair share of headlines as well (in regard to topics relevant to the employment law field that is). Although this post is a bit more expansive than normal, I wanted to highlight several key developments that readers might have missed (or simply want more information on).
As always, below are a couple articles that caught my eye this week.
Democratic House Minority Leader Vows to Take Up $15/Hour Minimum Wage Bill
Last week, Democratic House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi announced that should Democrats win control of the House in the midterm elections next year, a $15/hour minimum wage bill would be passed within the first 100 hours of Democrats seizing control of the House. As Elana Schor at Politico writes, Pelosi noted the last time the federal minimum wage rate was hiked, in 2007, was when Democrats had control of the House. Whether Democrats can seize control of the House in 2018 is up in the air (as readers might recall that every House seat will be up for election next year). Even if Democrats do manage to win control of the House, it will be interesting to see if they can pass a $15/hour minimum wage bill within the first 100 hours...not to mention that a Republican president would likely veto the legislation (should it manage to pass the Senate). For the time being, this likely remains a flashy headline for Democrats to use to rally supporters as the 2018 elections gradually approaches.
A Closer Look at the Decline of Women in the Workforce
Natalie Kitroeff at The Los Angeles Times wrote a rather in depth and well researched article on the noticeable decline of women in the workforce. Using two women in California as examples, Kitroeff paints a picture that lends itself to a myriad of reasons why women are leaving the workforce: The slow rise of wages for many lower level positions typically held by women, the automation or export of many positions, and an inherent prejudice against women in the workplace that stifles their chances of promotion, among other reasons. While this article does not attempt to identify the 'smoking gun' for why women are leaving the workforce, nor does it try, it certainly gives readers something to ponder.
Senator Elizabeth Warren Talks About Reliable Scheduling Act & Minimum Wage
This week, Pod Save America had a discussion with Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren in which the topic of a reliable scheduling bill and the continued fight for a higher hourly minimum wage were discussed. (For those unfamiliar with Pod Save America, it is a weekly podcast from several former Obama Administration members who discuss topical political developments of the week). With that being said, their discussion with Elizabeth Warren about these two particular topics is is worth a listen either via the YouTube link or through iTunes, as it gives somewhat of a window into the plans Democrats have to move certain pieces of legislation through Congress...assuming they are able to seize control of Congress in upcoming elections.
President Trump Moves to Roll Back Employer Contraception Mandate
In a move that should not come as much of a surprise, President Donald Trump appears to be intent on taking steps to remove an Obama Administration mandate that employers provide health insurance to their employees that includes contraception coverage. This comes on the heels of the 2014 Supreme Court case which decided that "closely held" private companies (in addition to religious groups and organizations) would refuse to offer contraception coverage on moral grounds. Robert Pear at The New York Times writes that the Trump Administration is rumored to be looking at overhauling that mandate and expanding the exemption to allow any employer to seek a moral or religious exemption from that requirement. Keep an eye on this one.
Illinois State Legislature Approves $15/Hour Minimum Wage Bill
On Tuesday, the Illinois House of Representatives voted 61 - 53 in favor of a bill that would raise the hourly minimum wage rate in the state from its current rate of $8.25/hour to $15/hour by 2022. Wednesday, the Illinois Senate followed suit with a vote in favor of the $15/hour minimum wage bill with 30 state senators in support 30 and 23 against. Now, the bill heads to Republican Governor Bruce Rauner's desk for approval or veto but as of this writing, it is unclear what the Governor will do with the bill. Governor Rauner has been pro-employer in the past (having advocated for right to work "zones" two years ago), so it would not come as a surprise if he chose to veto the bill. However, with his re-election race coming up next year, a conservative running in a traditionally liberal state such as Illinois might be looking to score points with voters...such that his approval of this bill is a real possibility.
Senator Elizabeth Warren Talks About Reliable Scheduling Act & Minimum Wage
This week, Pod Save America had a discussion with Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren in which the topic of a reliable scheduling bill and the continued fight for a higher hourly minimum wage were discussed. (For those unfamiliar with Pod Save America, it is a weekly podcast from several former Obama Administration members who discuss topical political developments of the week). With that being said, their discussion with Elizabeth Warren about these two particular topics is is worth a listen either via the YouTube link or through iTunes, as it gives somewhat of a window into the plans Democrats have to move certain pieces of legislation through Congress...assuming they are able to seize control of Congress in upcoming elections.
President Trump Moves to Roll Back Employer Contraception Mandate
In a move that should not come as much of a surprise, President Donald Trump appears to be intent on taking steps to remove an Obama Administration mandate that employers provide health insurance to their employees that includes contraception coverage. This comes on the heels of the 2014 Supreme Court case which decided that "closely held" private companies (in addition to religious groups and organizations) would refuse to offer contraception coverage on moral grounds. Robert Pear at The New York Times writes that the Trump Administration is rumored to be looking at overhauling that mandate and expanding the exemption to allow any employer to seek a moral or religious exemption from that requirement. Keep an eye on this one.
Illinois State Legislature Approves $15/Hour Minimum Wage Bill
On Tuesday, the Illinois House of Representatives voted 61 - 53 in favor of a bill that would raise the hourly minimum wage rate in the state from its current rate of $8.25/hour to $15/hour by 2022. Wednesday, the Illinois Senate followed suit with a vote in favor of the $15/hour minimum wage bill with 30 state senators in support 30 and 23 against. Now, the bill heads to Republican Governor Bruce Rauner's desk for approval or veto but as of this writing, it is unclear what the Governor will do with the bill. Governor Rauner has been pro-employer in the past (having advocated for right to work "zones" two years ago), so it would not come as a surprise if he chose to veto the bill. However, with his re-election race coming up next year, a conservative running in a traditionally liberal state such as Illinois might be looking to score points with voters...such that his approval of this bill is a real possibility.
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