Ballot Questions: Election Post-Mortem

It was an even split on election day for questions on keeping a tipped wage as Portland Maine voters resoundingly rejected a ballot proposal to eliminate the tipped wage and hike the minimum within the city to $18 per hour. Question D, as the initiative was known went down to defeat by a 61-39% margin.…

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Ballot Measures, a Potpourri

Over the past few weeks, we’ve focused on various ballot initiatives around the country by subject matter – minimum wages last week, right to work laws the week prior, etc. Without getting too far into the weeds, that leaves us a couple to call to your attention. In Massachusetts, there’s a Millionaire’s tax on the…

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2022 Ballot Questions: Right to Work

We’ve emphasized in this space before the importance of getting out to vote and that elections do indeed have consequences. As the 2022 midterm elections come into greater focus, it’s important to take a look around at some of the ballot initiatives that voters will be deciding in a few weeks. On many topics, Illinois…

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Inflation Driving More Wage Hikes

With inflation continuing unbridled at record-setting levels, its impact on minimum wages across the nation is becoming clearer with each week. As we’ve advised in the past, and as recently as only two weeks ago, those states and local communities that tethered minimum wage increases to the Consumer Price Index. Unfortunately, there are more increases…

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Tennessee Expands Mandatory E-Verify

Having amended its mandatory E-Verify law back in May when Governor Bill Lee signed HB 1853 into law, the state of Tennessee will require all private employers with at least 35 employees to use E-Verify and maintain E-Verify case results effective January 1, 2023. Currently, the Tennessee Lawful Employment Act, (TLEA) adopted in 2017 only…

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Trio of New Employment Laws

A trio of new laws took effect on July 1 in the state of Tennessee of which employers in the Volunteer State need to be aware. The laws address race-based discrimination, Veteran’s Day and the physical or mental deficiencies of workers. First off, the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act…

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Equal Pay Act, Family Leave in Effect

Tennessee wasn’t alone implementing new laws on July 1, as two of its neighbors to the south also added new employment laws. The newly enacted Equal Pay Act in Mississippi became effective on the 1st of this month making the Magnolia State the last in the nation to enact a pay equity law. Under its…

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Tennessee Lowers E-Verify Threshold

Early last month, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed HB 1853 into law and when he did, the threshold for mandatory use of the E-Verify system by private employers in the Volunteer State dropped from 50 to 35 employees. Effective on January 1, 2023, all employers in Tennessee with 35 or more employees will be required…

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Georgia Preempts Scheduling Laws

Under the category of an ounce of prevention, the state of Georgia has preempted local laws that would mandate employers meet certain scheduling parameters. Governor Brian Kemp signed S.B. 331 into law and it became effective on May 5, 2022. The law precludes local governments from enacting laws regulating work hours, scheduling or employee output…

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Pay Equity Runs the Table, Finally!

With Governor Tate Reeves adding his signature earlier last week, the state of Mississippi became the 50th and final state to add a pay equity law to its books. The new Mississippi law (HB. 770), which takes effect on July 1, 2022, prohibits employers from paying “an employee a wage at a rate less than…

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