Posted on 06/03/2005 12:02:00 PM PDT by marylandrepub1
The world's largest retailer has denounced as a public-relations ploy legislation -- which some state legislators have dubbed the "anti-Wal-Mart bill" -- that would create a public list of companies whose workers are enrolled in MinnesotaCare and other government-funded health care programs. "This is not health care reform," said Nate Hurst, public and government relations manager for Wal-Mart. "This is a campaign against Wal-Mart."
But proponents of the bill, whose chief author is Sen. Becky Lourey, DFL-Kerrick, say the public has a right to know which employers have become a drain on the state's public health care system. They say the bill does not target Wal-Mart in particular but is meant to see how the state can work with companies to provide better health care programs.
"If it's true what people say, that big multinational companies are outsourcing health care to taxpayers, then it would be good to have a handle on which ones," said Rep. Sheldon Johnson, DFL-St. Paul. "It's just information.
"Once such findings are made public, they can be used by opponents of Wal-Mart to stir up support for punitive measures against big-box retailers. A Wisconsin state representative has introduced a bill that would force big-box retailers to reimburse the state for providing the health care needs of their under-paid and under-insured employees. The revenue would go to the state's Medical Assistance trust fund.
As of October, Wal-Mart employed 17,329 people in Minnesota.
(Excerpt) Read more at startribune.com ...
In December 1994, Baltimore Mayor Kurt Schmoke signed into law one of the nation’s first “living wage” ordinances. It required businesses with city contracts to pay their workers a minimum of $7.70 per hour by 1999, approximately 50% above the current federal minimum wage.
http://www.city-journal.org/html/13_1_how_the_living_wage.html
Look what forcing companies to pay poor -unskilled -uneducated employees 'a fair living wage' has done for Baltimore. It's eliminated crime and poverty. In fact it's created so many jobs the poor are traveling from all over the country to Baltimore to get a "living wage". What, it doesn't effect those unemployed? Then what's the democratic plan for them? A nice jail cell.
The only way this could be "anti-Walmart" is if they make up rather high percentage on the list. hhmmmmmmm........
How does Wal-Mart create health care laws??? or establish eligibility requirements???
These states sure love the sales taxes generated though.
Let's see... would I rather have someone unemployed and drawing state aid for health care ... or ... someone working for Wal Mart and drawing state aid for health care.
Ok, Wal Mart, close the stores and let the state pay the 17,000 salaries and insurance. Tell the socialist of Minnesota to kiss your ass and go home. You certainly don't need the money.
Perhaps they should first publish the companies that are receiving corporate welfare. And publish estimates of the number of good-paying jobs government overregulation costs the state.
They are begging for help here in Ok - where did she come up with her numbers?
I do think we need to raise the minimum wage. $5.15 is ridiculous.
At least bump it to 6 bucks. Much more than that may hurt businesses, but we need to bump up minimum wage a bit since it has been stagnant for awhile.
These guys have made cutting off your nose to spite your face into an art form!
What do they think the big retailers will do once 'punitive measures' are implemented?
Why doesn't the state spend the money instead to check out the people enrolled in public health care to make sure they need it, and are not abusing the system!
The “drain” on the “system” isn’t Wal-Mart, it’s the legislature. Ms. Lourey, being a main player, evidently.
I applaud Wal-Mart for making sure their employees get *every* benefit to which they are qualified and entitled, per laws passed by the Wisconsin legislature.
I really fail to see how an employer could be a drain on the 'public healthcare system'. Is there law in place now that our employers owe us healthcare? I'm assuming this is just the latest in a string of things the left-wing in this country is researching to raise taxes. The Dems have had their noses swatted by the public repeatedly in recent years on their tax increases and feel like they need to be more creative in getting their money.
They should publish the names and salaries of every state employee once a year. The Des Moines Register does it.
"The only way this could be "anti-Walmart" is if they make up rather high percentage on the list. hhmmmmmmm........"
The purpose of this bill is to gain public support for a bill like Maryland. Maryland's got vetoed but there was no real outcry for it. But a law like this could cause such a stir. The only way a bill makes sense is if you assume the company is responsible for everyone it hires as the folks pushing this bill seem think.
Uh, Ms. Lourey, I rush to point out that Wal*Mart is not bound to provide any healthcare benefits for it's employees. It is a "benefit," not a guarantee.
Wal*Mart's placement on your list means nothing. Neither does any other employer's.
Ayn rand's looters are alive and well.
I can't hire a 15 year old babysitter for $6 an hour- try $9-$10.
I bet you can't go out on the street and find 3 people who work for minimum wage.
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