In a press conference recapping the recent legislative session, which ended at midnight on May 8, Gov. Ned Lamont said he does not support a bill that would allow striking workers to collect lost wages.
The bill would create a non-lapsing account within the General Fund, known as the Connecticut families and working account, to be expended by Comptroller Sean Scanlon “for the purposes of assisting low-income workers.” The bill also allows $3 million to be deposited in the fund for dispersal.
Republicans have accused the bill, which was passed minutes before the legislature’s term expired at midnight, of being trickery because it makes no specific mention of striking workers or labor disputes.
During a May 9 press conference, Lamont said he did not support the bill, which he called “too cute by half.” He added that he was very skeptical of the bill and stated that the legislature should have an up or down vote on public dollars being used to support striking workers during next year’s session.
Lamont added that the bill was “so damn vague” he didn’t really know what was in it, but based on what he was aware of he does not support it.
Despite that, Lamont stopped short of saying he would veto the bill.
Asked if he supported the concept of the bill, Lamont said he was not sure. He said that he was “one of six pro-union guys in Greenwich” and believed the lack of a strong union movement over the past 30 years has hollowed out the middle class.
But while he said he wants labor to have a strong seat at the table, Lamont said he doesn’t think he wants taxpayers subsidizing striking workers.
Senate Republican leadership issued a statement following Lamont’s press conference saying they appreciate Lamont’s stance.
“We appreciate that the governor took Senate Republicans’ advice and is preparing his veto pen. The governor recognizes the absolute absurdity of the brazen bill that all of his fellow Democrats voted for.” Sens. Stephen Harding, Rob Sampson, and Eric Berthel said in a statement.
“To be clear: Legislative Democrats signed off on a bill that was cloaked in ambiguity and non-specifics. They signed off on a bill which had no public hearing, so they willingly silenced the voice of the people. They voted yes to create a slush fund for the State Comptroller. Democrats voted yes on a bill based on trickery which made a mockery of the legislative process. Equally as alarming: Democrats voted to endorse more fiscal mismanagement and another attempt to go around the smart, bipartisan fiscal guardrails.” the statement continued.
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Typical democratic underhanded foolishness.