Labor committee merger advances
A group of legislators yesterday voted to merge two committees that handle labor and business issues into one.
The Legislature's Rules Committee yesterday voted unanimously to form the Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development Committee, based on a proposal floated by Republican leaders, according to the Kennebec Journal. Earlier this month, Senate Republican leaders proposed eliminating the labor committee and putting labor issues under the Business, Research and Economic Development Committee, arguing that the move would help develop stronger economic development policies and spur job creation. Organized labor officials yesterday held a press conference denouncing the plan, saying it sends the message that "workers...don't count," Emery Deabay, a millworker in Bucksport, said during the event.
More details are expected today about the committee's responsibilities, though oversight of the Maine Public Employees Retirement System is already planned to move to the appropriations committee, according to the paper. The full Legislature is expected to vote on the plan Friday.
Go to the article from the Kennebec Journal >>
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