A new non-profit coalition is working on the Independent Contractor Legislation, and they asked us to post the following. Note that the hearing may be sooner than Oct. 6th. We will keep you posted.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On October 6th, 2011, at 10:30 a.m., the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development will be holding a hearing on the Massachusetts Independent Contractor Law. In preparation for this legislative hearing, New Jobs for Massachusetts, Inc., a non-partisan, non-profit, pro-job growth advocacy organization, is forming a panel of speakers who are willing to share their personal stories with the legislative committee.
NJFM is seeking to bring together freelancers and independent contractors from a broad spectrum of industries to illustrate how far-reaching and devastating this legislation has been.
NJFM believes that the legislation was not intended to be so all-encompassing, and thus we are asking the legislators to look at the true intent of the legislation and repair the law so thousands of individuals can return to work, and businesses can conduct their business in a way that makes sense for them.
As it stands, Massachusetts' law on independent contractors is the strictest of its kind in the country, and it has suppressed the creation of literally tens of thousands of jobs here in Massachusetts.
NJFM is part of a one-issue coalition that includes organizations and professionals such as Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM), the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), experienced employment attorneys, and the Retailers Association of Massachusetts (RAM).
NJFM pledges to provide complete support to all panelists, including helping them prepare for the hearing and reviewing testimony. It is important that the legislators hear from “real people” with personal stories of hardship as a result of this legislation.
If making your voice heard on this issue appeals to you, please reach NJFM at any of the following:
NJFM office phone: (978) 263-3429
Mike Hruby, President: mike@newmassjobs.com
Christine Doucette, Analyst: christine@newmassjobs.com
We also have a website if you are interested in learning more about our organization and the work we are doing: www.newmassjobs.com.
Thank you for your time and consideration. We look forward to hearing from you.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Showing posts with label Mass. Independent Contractors. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mass. Independent Contractors. Show all posts
Friday, September 16, 2011
Monday, September 12, 2011
UPDATE ON NEW LEGISLATION AND HEARING SCHEDULED
After some last minute activity to change the Independent Contractor law in the last Legislative session, which went down to the wire, it was not heard, in part because of the Casino bill. This year there seems to be more interest in fixing the Independent Contractor law, because the legislature knows this law needs to be fixed.
Look through this blog for a summary of what happened during the last legislative session.
This Legislative session there are 4 bills that have been proposed to fix the situation.
H01412: http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/House/H01412 (click link to see information on this bill)
S00957: http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/Senate/S00957
H02784: http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/House/H02874
H02298: http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/House/H02298
There are problems with each of these bills, but they will serve as a starting point for any discussion.
H01412 and S00957 are essentially the same bills. They are similar to what was defeated last session.
H02784 has some good wording, so this could be the best starting point.
H02298 is not sufficient, as it will not work for all Independent Contractors, e.g. those who need to ‘go to the place of business of the enterprise’ for whatever reason.
These bills will be heard by the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development, who will give a reading on them to the Legislature. The hearing is scheduled for October 6, 10:30-1, Room 81 (NOTE that this is a change). There are several activities we should each undertake.
If possible, plan to attend the hearing. In the last session, we had a large turnout at the hearing, and we weren’t even organized. This really had an impact on the committee.
If you are comfortable, you should plan to give verbal testimony, which you should also leave with the committee as written testimony. Consider organizing yourselves into panels of 3 or 4 people, so things will move along more quickly. If you aren’t comfortable giving verbal testimony or you are not able to be at the hearing, you should send in written testimony to the committee.
You should be contacting all members of the committee, as listed below, to let them know of your concern with this issue. Contact your own State Senator and Representative as well. You can e-mail them or just make a phone call, although e-mail is probably best, if there is time.
Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development:
Chairs:
Daniel A. Wolf, Senate Chair, (Dem. Harwich): 617-722-1570, Daniel.Wolf@masenate.gov
Cheryl A. Coakley-Rivera, House Chair (Dem. Springfield): 617-722-2014, Cheryl.Coakley-Rivera@mahouse.gov
Michael J. Rodrigues Senate Vice Chair (Dem., Westport): 617-722-1114, Michael.Rodrigues@masenate.gov
Lori A. Ehrlich, House Vice Chair (Dem. Marblehead): 617-722-2014, Lori.Ehrlich@mahouse.gov
Senate Members:
Barry R. Finegold, (Dem. Andover): 617-722-1612, Barry.Finegold@MASenate.gov
Michael F. Rush, (Dem. West Roxbury): 617-722-1348 , Mike.Rush@masenate.gov
Sal N. DiDomenico, (Dem. Everett): 617-722-1650, Sal.DiDomenico@masenate.gov
Robert L. Hedlund (Rep. Weymouth): 617-722-1646, Robert.Hedlund@masenate.gov
House Members:
John H. Rogers (Dem. Norwood): 617-722-2092, John.Rogers@mahouse.gov
John P. Fresolo (Dem. Worcester): 617-722-2240, John.Fresolo@mahouse.gov
Linda Dean Campbell, (Dem. Methuen): 617-722-2877,
Linda.DeanCampbell@mahouse.gov
Denise Andrews (Dem. Orange): 617-722-2460, Denise.Andrews@mahouse.gov
Ryan C. Fattman (Rep. Sutton): 617-722-2460, Ryan.Fattman@mahouse.gov
Demetrius J. Atsalis (Dem. Barnstable): 617-722-2080, Demetrius.Atsalis@mahouse.gov
David M. Torrisi (Dem. North Andover): 617-722-2396, David.Torrisi@mahouse.gov
James Arciero (Dem. Westford): 617-722-2320, James.Arciero@mahouse.gov
Shelia C. Harrington, (Rep. Groton): 617-722-2305, sheila.harrington@mahouse.gov
Of the 17 committee members listed above, only 5 were on the committee last session, namely Senator Hedlund and Representatives Coakley-Rivera, Rogers, Fresola, and Arciero. As a result, we need the committee to learn about how this law has affected us.
To find your own Representative or Senator go to:
http://www.malegislature.gov/People/Search
Enter your address to find the name of your Rep. and Senator. Click on their names to get their contact information. Some of these legislators might be new as well.
Also consider writing letters to the Editor of your local newspapers or trying to have a story written on this issue and how it has affected you specifically. We had some great press on this last year (as noted in this blog), which was a help.
We will keep you posted as we hear more about this issue.
By the way, if you haven’t already signed our Petition at http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/fix-the-massachusetts-freelancer-law/, please go to this site and sign it.
Look through this blog for a summary of what happened during the last legislative session.
This Legislative session there are 4 bills that have been proposed to fix the situation.
H01412: http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/House/H01412 (click link to see information on this bill)
S00957: http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/Senate/S00957
H02784: http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/House/H02874
H02298: http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/House/H02298
There are problems with each of these bills, but they will serve as a starting point for any discussion.
H01412 and S00957 are essentially the same bills. They are similar to what was defeated last session.
H02784 has some good wording, so this could be the best starting point.
H02298 is not sufficient, as it will not work for all Independent Contractors, e.g. those who need to ‘go to the place of business of the enterprise’ for whatever reason.
These bills will be heard by the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development, who will give a reading on them to the Legislature. The hearing is scheduled for October 6, 10:30-1, Room 81 (NOTE that this is a change). There are several activities we should each undertake.
If possible, plan to attend the hearing. In the last session, we had a large turnout at the hearing, and we weren’t even organized. This really had an impact on the committee.
If you are comfortable, you should plan to give verbal testimony, which you should also leave with the committee as written testimony. Consider organizing yourselves into panels of 3 or 4 people, so things will move along more quickly. If you aren’t comfortable giving verbal testimony or you are not able to be at the hearing, you should send in written testimony to the committee.
You should be contacting all members of the committee, as listed below, to let them know of your concern with this issue. Contact your own State Senator and Representative as well. You can e-mail them or just make a phone call, although e-mail is probably best, if there is time.
Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development:
Chairs:
Daniel A. Wolf, Senate Chair, (Dem. Harwich): 617-722-1570, Daniel.Wolf@masenate.gov
Cheryl A. Coakley-Rivera, House Chair (Dem. Springfield): 617-722-2014, Cheryl.Coakley-Rivera@mahouse.gov
Michael J. Rodrigues Senate Vice Chair (Dem., Westport): 617-722-1114, Michael.Rodrigues@masenate.gov
Lori A. Ehrlich, House Vice Chair (Dem. Marblehead): 617-722-2014, Lori.Ehrlich@mahouse.gov
Senate Members:
Barry R. Finegold, (Dem. Andover): 617-722-1612, Barry.Finegold@MASenate.gov
Michael F. Rush, (Dem. West Roxbury): 617-722-1348 , Mike.Rush@masenate.gov
Sal N. DiDomenico, (Dem. Everett): 617-722-1650, Sal.DiDomenico@masenate.gov
Robert L. Hedlund (Rep. Weymouth): 617-722-1646, Robert.Hedlund@masenate.gov
House Members:
John H. Rogers (Dem. Norwood): 617-722-2092, John.Rogers@mahouse.gov
John P. Fresolo (Dem. Worcester): 617-722-2240, John.Fresolo@mahouse.gov
Linda Dean Campbell, (Dem. Methuen): 617-722-2877,
Linda.DeanCampbell@mahouse.gov
Denise Andrews (Dem. Orange): 617-722-2460, Denise.Andrews@mahouse.gov
Ryan C. Fattman (Rep. Sutton): 617-722-2460, Ryan.Fattman@mahouse.gov
Demetrius J. Atsalis (Dem. Barnstable): 617-722-2080, Demetrius.Atsalis@mahouse.gov
David M. Torrisi (Dem. North Andover): 617-722-2396, David.Torrisi@mahouse.gov
James Arciero (Dem. Westford): 617-722-2320, James.Arciero@mahouse.gov
Shelia C. Harrington, (Rep. Groton): 617-722-2305, sheila.harrington@mahouse.gov
Of the 17 committee members listed above, only 5 were on the committee last session, namely Senator Hedlund and Representatives Coakley-Rivera, Rogers, Fresola, and Arciero. As a result, we need the committee to learn about how this law has affected us.
To find your own Representative or Senator go to:
http://www.malegislature.gov/People/Search
Enter your address to find the name of your Rep. and Senator. Click on their names to get their contact information. Some of these legislators might be new as well.
Also consider writing letters to the Editor of your local newspapers or trying to have a story written on this issue and how it has affected you specifically. We had some great press on this last year (as noted in this blog), which was a help.
We will keep you posted as we hear more about this issue.
By the way, if you haven’t already signed our Petition at http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/fix-the-massachusetts-freelancer-law/, please go to this site and sign it.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Listen to or read WBUR story on Independent Contractors
WBUR had a great story on the Independent Contractor law today (6/29/2010). Here's a link to the story, which you can either read or listen to:
http://www.wbur.org/2010/06/30/independent-contractor-law
You can also make a comment on the story if you wish to do so. There was an error when it said that Senator McGee's amendement didn't make it out of committee. It did, and it is now HB4748 as noted in a previous post.
http://www.wbur.org/2010/06/30/independent-contractor-law
You can also make a comment on the story if you wish to do so. There was an error when it said that Senator McGee's amendement didn't make it out of committee. It did, and it is now HB4748 as noted in a previous post.
Monday, June 21, 2010
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR STORY ON WGBH
In case you missed it, take a look at the Independent Contractor Story here that aired on WGBH on June 21. Great job by WGBH!
UPDATE ON MA INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR LEGISLATION
House Bill 1844, the bill we have been following to change the MA Independent Contractor Law, came out of the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development with a positive reading.
The bill, now known as House Bill 4748, has new wording that is exactly the same as Senator McGee’s Amendment 260 to the budget (see the text of the bill here or refer to our post on June 7). The bill was presented by Rep. Coakley-Rivera (the co-chair of the Labor and Workforce Committee). This bill is now with a new committee, the House Committee on Ways and Means.
There are several issues to keep in mind regarding this new legislation:
1) The Legislature is busy, with the budget and the casino bill, so it is unclear whether this bill will get any attention before the end of the current session (July 30th). We will keep you posted on what we hear. We urge you to keep calling your representatives to make sure they know this issue is a priority.
2) The wording in the new legislation will work for some freelancers, but it will certainly not work for all. We were told that the new language is only a beginning and that the bill can still be amended. Our goal is to continue to talk with the representatives on the House Committee on Way and Means to figure out if we can further revise the current language and if so how.
Let us know your feelings on the new language by leaving a comment.
More to come . . .
The bill, now known as House Bill 4748, has new wording that is exactly the same as Senator McGee’s Amendment 260 to the budget (see the text of the bill here or refer to our post on June 7). The bill was presented by Rep. Coakley-Rivera (the co-chair of the Labor and Workforce Committee). This bill is now with a new committee, the House Committee on Ways and Means.
There are several issues to keep in mind regarding this new legislation:
1) The Legislature is busy, with the budget and the casino bill, so it is unclear whether this bill will get any attention before the end of the current session (July 30th). We will keep you posted on what we hear. We urge you to keep calling your representatives to make sure they know this issue is a priority.
2) The wording in the new legislation will work for some freelancers, but it will certainly not work for all. We were told that the new language is only a beginning and that the bill can still be amended. Our goal is to continue to talk with the representatives on the House Committee on Way and Means to figure out if we can further revise the current language and if so how.
Let us know your feelings on the new language by leaving a comment.
More to come . . .
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
