In a swift and surprising legislative move, the Massachusetts House has pushed through a bill that'll make employers give workers paid time off to hit the polls on Election Day. With the state House deep in what is usually a hibernation period, this bill shot forward without the usual fanfare or lengthy debates, as reported by MassLive.
Previously, a century-old statute limited this voter-friendly perk to folks in certain trades, like those in manufacturing or mercantile establishments. Thursday's decision, however, yanks the rule straight into 2023, placing it firmly on the desks of every employer in the state. "The legislation that was advanced by the House today will help to guarantee that every Massachusetts voter has time to vote on Election Day, regardless of the constraints of their job," House Speaker Ron Mariano was quoted in a statement obtained by The Boston Herald.
Not everyone was snoozing at the wheel when the bill raced through. Business groups quickly voiced their gripes, signaling the potential staffing snags this could cause. The National Federation of Independent Business's Massachusetts state director, Chris Carlozzi, clearly unhappy with the proposal, pointed out the staff shortages businesses are already grappling with. Meanwhile, Retailers Association of Massachusetts President Jon Hurst was left scratching his head over the sudden emergence of the bill, as covered by the Boston Globe.
Under the hood of this legislation, there's a clause calling for a "full day's pay" penalty for employers who drop the ball on giving enough voting time. While some, like Senator Brendan Crighton, herald the move as a vehicle for easing the journey to the ballot box, business leaders seem to think of it as adding a boulder in their path. Reporting by the Boston Herald, Crighton states, "It certainly allows employers to be given the required adequate notice."
With this bill now parked at the Senate's door, some are keeping their fingers crossed for a green light in favor of greater voting access, while others are gearing up for a potential detour in their day-to-day business operations. Election Day in the Bay State might just see a smoother traffic flow of voters heading to the polls if this bill crosses the legislative finish line.
