Rep. Zawistowski Seeks Legislative Vote on Collective Bargaining Agreements
HARTFORD – State Rep. Tami Zawistowski (R-61) recently submitted testimony in support of a bill she proposed, which was heard at a public hearing before the legislature’s Appropriations Committee at the State Capitol on Friday, March 24th.
The legislation, H.B. 5221, An Act Concerning Voting By The General Assembly On Collective Bargaining Agreements And Agreements And Stipulations In Connection With A Lawsuit, will require the General Assembly to vote on all collective bargaining agreements, as well as agreements and stipulations reached in connection with a lawsuit filed against the state.
“It is no secret that Connecticut is undergoing substantial fiscal problems,” Zawistowski noted. “Frankly, we spend too much, and we tax too much. Our current spending practices are unsustainable, and until we fix them, Connecticut citizens, who elected us to represent them and to be responsible stewards of their tax dollars, will continue to suffer.
H.B. 5221 targets the approval procedure for collective bargaining agreements that involve state employee organizations and lawsuit-connected agreements or stipulations involving negotiations by the state. Under current statutory law (5-278b and 3-125a), should the General Assembly fail to vote on such agreements/stipulations within 30 days of their filing or submission, they are automatically approved. Such agreements are currently subject to a vote in the Appropriations Committee, but have historically not been brought to the full legislature for a vote despite it being an option under current law. Salaries and benefits of state employees account for approximately 38% of the state budget.
“I proposed this legislation because I feel it is in the taxpayer’s best interest that we return this responsibility to the General Assembly,” Zawistowski continued. “Should my proposal pass, it will amend sections 5-278 and 3-125a of the general statutes to require each chamber of the General Assembly to vote to either approve or reject all collective bargaining agreements involving state employee organizations, as well as lawsuit agreements or stipulations that the state is a party to.”
For more information on H.B. 5221, or any legislation that Rep. Zawistowski has proposed or co-sponsored, please visit www.RepZawistowski.com or call (860) 240-8700.