MADISON – Today, Representative Lisa Subeck (D-Madison) introduced the Local Wage Act. The proposed legislation includes two bills to repeal state statutes that currently preempt local communities from establishing minimum wage and paid family and medical leave policies. LRB-0042 and LRB-0127 would remove two provisions of state law that preempt local governments from establishing their own minimum wage and paid family and medical leave policies.
While federal and state laws provide unpaid family and medical leave protections to some employees, many go without access to any family and medical leave, and two-thirds of low-wage earners have no access to paid leave. This forces workers to choose between their jobs and caring for themselves and their families. LRB-0042 would allow local elected officials make decisions related to guaranteeing leave that are responsive to their own communities.
“No one should have to choose between caring for their family and putting food on the table,” said Rep. Subeck. “Yet hardworking Wisconsinites too often find themselves unable to take time off from work to care for a sick child or aging parent without jeopardizing their ability to pay their bills or losing their job entirely.”
According to cost-of-living data from the Economic Policy Institute, it costs more to live in Madison or Superior than in Sheboygan or Wausau, which is why it is necessary to allow local governments to set wage floors for their communities. LRB-0127 would repeal Wisconsin’s prohibition on local minimum wage ordinances. Wisconsin’s minimum wage has remained stagnant at $7.25 since 2009.
“Nobody who works full-time should have to live in poverty, and there is nowhere in Wisconsin where a family can make ends meet making $7.25 per hour,” said Rep. Subeck. “In the hands of Republicans, state government has failed to raise wages and address the lack of guaranteed paid leave. It is time to restore the ability of local elected officials to set wage floors that are reflective of the cost of living in their communities and to address the challenges faced by workers who need to take time off when they or their children are ill.”
Rep. Subeck represents the 79th Assembly District and serves as Chair of the Assembly Democratic Caucus.
