State Chamber Comes Out Against Anything Good
From their newsletter to their members:
SB1 – Healthy Delaware Families Act:
The bill would create a statewide paid family and medical leave insurance program. This latest version has undergone substantial revisions from the original bill that was introduced last year. The bill provides up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave for workers at companies with 10 or more employees and up to 6 weeks of paid medical and family caregiving leave for workers at companies with 25 or more employees. Employers with 25 or more employees are required to provide up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave and up to 6 weeks paid medical and family caregiving leave. Employers with 10 or more employees but less than 25 are only required to provide up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave.
- State Chamber Position: Opposed and working to amend
- Status: Released from the Senate Health and Social Services Committee and heads to the Senate for a full vote.
HB 262 – Data Brokers and Consumer Protections:
Representative Krista Griffith’s proposal would provide consumers with information on how their personal information is being used by data brokers. The State Chamber worked with Rep. Griffith to clarify the definition of data broker to ensure the bill only applies to data sellers and not collectors. The bill also contains a private right of action and we’re engaged in conversations with the sponsor to have it removed. View the amendment >
- State Chamber Position: Opposed and working to amend
- Status: Released from the House Technology Committee and is headed over to the House for a full vote.
HB 305 – Legalization of Marijuana:
The Delaware Marijuana Control Act legalizes the use of recreational marijuana. This bill is the updated version of HB 150, which was introduced last year, and includes no immunity from liability and spot test for impairment. The Delaware Manufacturing Association (DMA) expressed concerns with regards to employee safety and ensuring workers are not incapacitated while on the job. Section 1305 regarding places of employment has been removed from the bill. The bill still includes a social equity piece. View it here>
- State Chamber Position: Opposed and working to amend
- Status: Released from the House Health and Human Development Committee and is on its way to the House for a full vote.
Bear in mind that the Chamber had significant input into both SS1/SB 1 and HB 305…and still came out against them. They can’t be trusted.
Keep in mind that the State Chamber of Commerce is hardly representative of the state, and I’ve got to wonder how truly representative it is of the cross-section of businesses in Delaware.
I just went through the January/February issue of Delaware Business — the annual report issue. The great thing about it is that they print the mug shots of all the people on their boards and key committees.
Here’s the breakdown:
Board of Directors: of 15 members, 6 women, 1 Black, 1 Latino
Board of Governors: of 89 members, 12 women, 4 Black
Delaware Manufacturing Association: 23 member board, 4 women, 4 Black
The Partnership: 19 member board, 6 women, 1 Black
Small Business Alliance Committee: 35 members, 10 women, 1 Black
If I were Mike Quaranta, the chamber’s president, or Nick Lambrow, the new chairman of the board, I’d be looking at those mug shots and asking how closely the faces of the Chamber reflect the population of the state. But they’re not me, so I’m quite confident that they look at those mug shots and take satisfaction in knowing that they represent the true distribution of economic influence in the state.
The Delaware State Chamber of Commerce is not “representative” of the State but it is the most powerful and influential “special interest” group/organization in Delaware. It is the single-most powerful supporter of the “Delaware Way”, a corrupt system of allowing those with the most power to preserve the status quo and grow their power. It encourages and supports the most wealthy and powerful people and interests to maintain and increase their influence. The Chamber of Commerce is the single most powerful influence peddling/buying? organization that inflicts the greatest harm on the working people, small-business community and taxpayers of Delaware. Every Delaware elected should be challenged as to their loyalty and commitment to the Corporate Welfare influencers supported by the Chamber versus the interests of Delaware’s ordinary citizens. If they choose to ignore their responsibilities to Delaware’s citizens than they should be targeted for removal from office.
Representative John Kowalko
So, I guess the Marvel Cup is off the table for JK:)