Legislative History
2001-2002: State Contractors & LW, Minimum Wage Struggle Begins
During this session we began with a strategy to address the need for contractors with the state to pay livable wages to their employees. We believe that any program, contract, or service vendor which is funded partially or fully by state tax dollars should require that livable wages be paid for all workers involved in those contracts. Our plan in 2001 was to seek funding for research to determine cost to the state to institute plan; evaluate current wages paid to contractors' employees; how many employees would benefit. In 2002 we planned to adopt enabling legislation instituting this policy. Due to shifting priorities and limited funding we had to table this issue and focus on our work to increase the state minimum wage rate.
In mid-February of 2002, a number of House members tried to attach S.103 (the 50 cent increase to the VT minimum wage) as an amendment to another bill being voted on. A healthy floor debate ensued and a roll call vote was taken. In the end, efforts to pass S.103 failed 87-53, primarily along party lines. We rallied again during the next session to continue our work for an increase in Vermont's base pay. See 2002-2003 narrative for more information.
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Vermont Livable Wage Campaign
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© 2007 Vermont Livable Wage Campaign
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