Assembly Approves Restrictions On Local Control Of Labor, Taxi Companies

Local governments would be banned from enforcing a wide variety of worker protections, regulating taxi companies and participating in boycotts of Israel under bills on the state Assembly’s docket on Thursday.

The proposals were among several Assembly Republicans passed on what was likely their final day of session in 2018, which stretched into the early hours of Friday morning. The bills now head to the state Senate, which is tentatively scheduled to hold its final session day of the year in March.

While some of the bills passed without much discussion, the proposal on employment protections sparked a now-familiar debate over local control.

GOP legislators said the measure would make Wisconsin more business-friendly while Democrats called it the latest example of Republican lawmakers telling local residents what’s best for them.

Employment Regulations

Local regulations that cover labor and overtime or retirement benefits are just some that would be barred under one bill approved by the Assembly in the early hours of Friday.

Cities and counties would also no longer be allowed to ban private employers from asking for a person’s salary history as part of a job application.

The measure passed with a vote of 58-32.

Democrats pushed back on the plan, saying it favors big business over the interests of employees.

“I’m going to stand with the people that actually work in the restaurants, the ones that we should be fighting for, and not with the chains or the corporations or the big business,” said state Rep. Christine Sinicki, D-Milwaukee.

Supporters of the bill contended it will help remove burdensome regulation.

“If you want to continue to over-regulate an industry that’s about opportunity, have at it. But don’t count me in,” said Rep. John Nygren, R-Marinette.

Business groups support the measure while a coalition of local government and labor groups oppose it.

Republicans scaled the legislation back slightly Thursday, adding an amendment that would let local governments continue to pass ordinances that ban employment discrimination.

Taxi Regulations

Local taxi regulations would also be banned under another measure that passed the Assembly on a voice vote on Thursday.

The move comes roughly three years after lawmakers voted to preempt local regulation of rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft.

The bill would put state government in charge of taxi regulation.

The cities of Milwaukee and Madison, which would lose their power to regulate taxis, oppose the bill.

“This is a race to the bottom,” said Rep. Lisa Subeck, D-Madison. “Let communities make the choice to go a step further.”

Rep. Dan Knodl, R-Germantown, said lawmakers’ previous action preempting local regulation of rideshare companies has created an unfair competitive atmosphere for taxi companies.

“Let’s give them an opportunity to operate on a level playing field, so they can operate and support their families,” Knodl said.

The proposal has yet to be voted on in the state Senate.

Barring Israeli Boycotts

Lawmakers also approved a bill that would bar state agencies and local governments in Wisconsin from participating in a boycott of Israeli businesses.

The proposal passed with a voice vote. It has yet to be voted on in the state Senate.

The bill is a response to the so-called Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions or BDS movement, which encourages people to boycott Israeli businesses. Supporters of the movement say they’re motivated by the country’s human rights violations.

During a public hearing earlier this year, critics argued prohibiting businesses from participating in the boycott is a violation of free speech rights.

Other Actions

The Assembly also passed bills that would:

• bar the state Department of Natural Resources from prohibiting the practice of catching catfish by hand, also known as “noodling,” in Wisconsin. The bill passed on a voice vote. It has yet to be voted on in the state Senate.

• allow emergency responders to give aid to sick or injured pets in certain cases. The bill passed on a voice vote. It now moves to Gov. Scott Walker’s desk.

• allow people with life-threatening diseases to try some experimental drugs under a so-called “right to try” bill. That bill also moves to the governor’s desk.