Friday, January 13, 2006

Breakthrough on Wal-Mart health coverage


Today's NY Times reports:

ANNAPOLIS, Md., Jan. 12 - The Maryland legislature passed a law Thursday that would require Wal-Mart Stores to increase spending on employee health insurance, a measure that is expected to be a model for other states.

The legislature's move, which overrode a veto by Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich, was a response to growing criticism that Wal-Mart, the nation's largest private employer, has skimped on benefits and shifted health costs to state governments.

The vote came after a furious lobbying battle by Wal-Mart and by labor and liberal groups, and is likely to encourage lawmakers in dozens of other states who are considering similar legislation
The AFL-CIO has, in fact, targeted 32 more states for a similar effort. Contrary to Paul Soglin's post, Wisconsin is on the list.

Assembly Bill 860 , sponsored by State Rep. Terese Berceau, D-Madison, and State Sen. Dave Hansen,D-Green Bay, is scheduled for a hearing in the Assembly Labor Committee on Jan. 18.

1 Comments:

At 3:31 PM, Blogger Chris said...

What Wal mart should do is just close up shop in Maryland let the state support the 17,000 workers who will be out of a job.

Its not like the Waltons couldnt survive without the money from that one state.

but this is just another example of the left tool to Unions and being themselves Anti Business.

 

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