ADVOCACY GROUP SIMULTANEOUSLY IGNORES GOVERNORS PLEAS AND ATTACKS SMALL BUSINESS
HARTFORD (February 17, 2016): The National Federation of Independent
Business (NFIB) in response to today’s rally on expanding paid leave in
Connecticut, is disappointed that Governor Malloy’s recent remarks have fallen
on tone deaf ears.
“This preposterous proposal is nothing more than a ploy to pressure
lawmakers into doubling down on feel good legislation that among other things,
will expand our current FMLA law to the smallest of businesses, many of whom
that are struggling to remain in operation,” according to NFIB Connecticut
state director, Andrew Markowski. “These dramatic changes will harm the most
vulnerable of small businesses and make Connecticut’s family leave bill one of
the strictest in the country.”
Advocates rallied at the Capitol today encouraging Connecticut
legislators to make drastic changes to the current law, including requiring
businesses with as few as 2 employees to participate in the program and
establishing a fund for mandatory employee contributions. With the state
currently lacking the infrastructure to collect from employees, implementation
would require a significant expansion of state government as well as an untold
cost to tax payers.
“Governor Malloy is fresh from delivering a budget address that clearly
articulated what lawmakers need to do in order to improve our current fiscal
crisis. He discussed diminishing the size of government and implored lawmakers
to come around to his way of thinking. However, today we have a group urging
Hartford to expand its size and scope in terms of private employment practices.
Not only is the idea untenable due to cost, it is unnecessary. Small businesses
already provide their most valued asset, their employees, with paid time off
and the last thing they need is to worry about complying with more mandates,”
concluded Markowski.
