Lake Representative Jeff Vernetti Celebrates “Big Win” With Repeal Of Minimum Wage Increase

Lake area House Representative Jeff Vernetti is celebrating what he calls a “big win” with the governor’s signing of House Bill-567…the legislation repealing a voter-approved minimum wage increase package which also included a provision mandating paid sick leave requirements for certain businesses.

The minimum wage package deal was passed with 58% voter approval while the period for certain workers to start accruing the paid time off took effect on May 1^st.

Vernetti says the new law, which will wipe out the paid sick leave beginning August 28^th, will provide the state’s small and seasonal businesses “significant peace of mind.”

The new law also exempts the same businesses from minimum wage increases which kicked in on January 1^st and locks in the minimum wage rate which was effective on December 31^st of last year.

The bill repealing the paid time off provision did not meet qualifications for an emergency clause to be effective upon being signed.

The Democratic-backed bill was hotly-contested with Republicans in the state legislature able to push through the repeal to Governor Kehoe’s desk.