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House Republicans block minimum wage, paid sick leave bills

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economic-forecast-headerThe House Commerce and Labor Subcommittee #1 effectively killed four bills that would have raised the minimum wage in Virginia, and one bill that would have guaranteed paid sick leave for employees of certain businesses in Virginia in a series of party-line votes.

  • HB 597 – Plum, HB 623 – Krizek, HB 995 – Levine, and HB 988 – Lopez, all aiming to raise the minimum wage in the Commonwealth, were laid on the table in a 6-4 party-line block vote.
  • HB 7 – Simon, aiming to guarantee paid sick leave for certain employees in Virginia, was laid on the table by a 6-4 party-line vote.

“Virginians deserve to go to work and be able to support their families by earning a livable wage and being able to take care of themselves and their families when they’re sick,” said Delegate Jeion Ward (92nd – Hampton), a member of the Commerce and Labor Subcommittee #1.

“Six out of ten low-wage workers are women, many working full-time and supporting families — not high school kids bagging groceries. Raising the wage and guaranteeing paid sick days make workers healthier and happier, and stimulates the economy. My colleagues on the other side of the aisle voted against Virginians today, instead choosing to promote partisan politics.”

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