Every Democratic Lawmaker Has Signed On to All Four Bills in the Package
Madison, Wis. — Today, Wisconsin Legislative Democrats unveiled the “Build A Stronger Wisconsin” package, four bills that will help strengthen Wisconsin’s overall economy by helping ensure fair wages, safer workplaces, and good paying jobs that support families during times of rising costs. Every Democratic Representative and Senator has signed on to all four bills.
The group of legislators spearheading development of the Build A Stronger Wisconsin legislation include Representatives Christine Sinicki (D-Milwaukee), Supreme Moore Omokunde (D-Milwaukee), Joe Sheehan (D-Sheboygan), Jodi Emerson (D-Eau Claire), Joan Fitzgerald (D-Fort Atkinson), and Senators Bob Wirch (D-Pleasant Prairie), LaTonya Johnson (D-Milwaukee), Jeff Smith (D-Eau Claire), Mark Spreitzer (D-Beloit), Tim Carpenter (D-Milwaukee), and Senate Democratic Leader Dianne Hesselbein (D-Middleton).
“At a time of rising costs, a widening financial divide, and economic chaos fueled by the Trump Administration’s policies that put billionaires first, strengthening Wisconsin’s economy depends on building and supporting a strong middle class. Strong labor unions are the rising tide that lifts all workers across many sectors and it makes good fiscal sense to support and encourage good union jobs,” the legislators said in a joint statement. “These bills do just that.”
The four bills in the package are:
- Repealing Wisconsin’s so-called “Right-to-Work” law
From construction sites, to hospital rooms, to classrooms, the so-called “Right-to-Work” law undermines workers’ rights and makes it harder for workers to advocate for fair pay and workplace safety. The bill repeals the so-called “Right-to-Work” law and restores working Wisconsinites’ freedoms to organize unions and improve workplace conditions without interference from politicians.
- Toughening Worker Misclassification Laws
When workers are misclassified as independent contractors, which occurs in a number of industries including the construction industry, they lose out on critical protections, benefits, and labor rights including minimum wage, overtime pay, unemployment insurance, the right to form a union, and anti-discrimination protections. Wisconsin’s Department of Revenue estimates that worker misclassification costs Wisconsin $50.7 million in tax revenue annually due to lost business taxes from the construction industry alone. The bill gives existing laws more teeth by increasing monetary penalties, and extending outreach and education about this crime.
- Restoring the Prevailing Wage
Prevailing wage laws ensure workers on publicly funded projects earn fair wages and benefits that reflect local standards, preventing a race to the bottom in labor costs while delivering high quality work and better value for taxpayers. The bill restores Wisconsin’s prevailing wage laws.
- Restoring the use of Project Labor Agreements
Project Labor Agreements benefit taxpayers by ensuring public construction projects are not delayed because of labor conflicts or worker shortages. They create a consistent set of rules and regulations for a construction project. The bill restores the use of Project Labor Agreements in Wisconsin.
Copies of the bills are available here.
