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Vermont Senate committee hears range of labor, housing and data bills; JFO flags potential school cost increase
Summary
A legislative intern briefed the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee on a Senate committee’s recent work on minimum wage, unemployment insurance for school support staff, mobile-home rent challenges and other bills. The Joint Fiscal Office estimated one proposal could cost schools $5.5 million to $16 million annually.
Helen Argraves, legislative intern for the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee, told members Feb. 21 that the Senate Committee on Economic Development, Housing, and General Affairs spent the week reviewing multiple bills touching wages, unemployment insurance, tenant protections and data privacy.
The most discussed item was S 37, a bill expanding eligibility for unemployment insurance to some seasonal workers, including school support staff. "The JFO on Thursday estimated that it would cost about between $5.5 million and $16 million a year to schools and therefore taxpayers," Argraves said. Senators asked for additional testimony from support staff and from officials in Minnesota, which has a similar law, to help quantify cost and scope.
Why it matters: If enacted as presented, S 37 could broaden unemployment benefits beyond traditional support staff to include other seasonal workers and independent contractors who earn income outside the school…
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