The Texas House on Wednesday advanced HB 48 by Rep. Mary Gonzalez, D-El Paso, which would create a state database of employers who are found to have committed wage theft.
The bill has been percolating for several sessions and now has momentum on its way to the Senate. A database would impose no monetary penalty, but the sunlight would serve as a deterrent to low-road employers who deliberately refuse to pay working people what they have earned.
Today's bipartisan vote in support of the measure was 102-41.
A bill heard yesterday in a House committee would create a separate unelected court system for deep-pocketed businesses, billionaires and others who might be involved in lawsuits involving giant dollars, corporate CEOs and large-scale business matters.
HB 4149 by Rep. Jeff Leach, R-Plano (companion is SB 2259 by Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola) would let the Governor appoint judges selected by an advisory group to hear cases for the wealthy, as opposed to the elected judges most working people would face when navigating the state court system.
Today is Day 80 of the regular session of the 86th Texas Legislature. 60 days to go.
Do Something! SB 621, a ULLCO-OPPOSED bill that would abolish the State Board of Plumbing Examiners and potentially compromise the licensing process for plumbers, is eligible for debate on the Senate floor as soon as Monday. Contact your Senator and ask him or her to OPPOSE SB 621: https://bit.ly/2uwPE06
