When the city of Seattle passed first-of-its kind legislation to allow Uber and Lyft drivers to organize, a lengthy court battle was predicted.  Now, that shoe has dropped with the Chamber of Commerce (CoC) filing a lawsuit against the city over the ordinance. They argue that it violates federal antitrust laws: “Seattle and thousands…

  The Rhode Island legislature is currently debating a plan which would raise tolls on big-rig trucks in order to pay for long overdue infrastructure improvements. Known as RhodeWorks, the plan is supported by a wide array of groups and would help the department of transportation fund a massive infrastructure overhaul in a state where…

  A letter sent by a wide array of transportation advocacy groups and unions — more than 40 total — asks lawmakers currently negotiating the final details of the new highway funding bill to increase spending even if it results in a shorter funding package.  The letter comes after the House passed a six-year, $325 [&hellip…;

  Ohio Ballot Issue 1, a plan to create fair redistricting and prevent gerrymandering, is enjoying bipartisan support and even making strange bedfellows in the Buckeye State.  Criss-crossing the state in support of the measure are two former state lawmakers, Republican Matt Huffman (from Lima) and Democrat Vernon Sykes (from Akron), who are…

  New Jersey business groups such as the New Jersey Business & Industry Association and the New Jersey Restaurant & Hospitality Association are fighting a series of local wage theft ordinances that tie commercial licenses to the payment of back wages.  In July, both Newark and Jersey City passed wage theft ordinances allowing them…

  A Michigan bill proposed in January and passed by the state house on a 57-52 last month would “improve business conditions,” according to its supporters, and “thwart the ability of local governments to exercise local control,” according to its opponents.  HB 4052 now awaits action from the Michigan Competitiveness Committee along…

  The ambitious budget proposal of Governor Gina Raimondo has gained the support of both the Rhode Island Building and Construction Trades Council (RIBCTC) and the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce. In an op-ed for The Providence Journal, Michael Sabitoni of the RIBCTC and Laurie White of the Chamber of Commerce explain their support for…

  A new Wage Theft Prevention Bill that recently passed the California State Assembly could lead to liens on properties of those who fail to correctly pay workers.  The bill passed by a 43-27 vote and seeks to curb the growing problem of wage theft by creating more serious punishments for those who commit the [&hellip…;

  A short time after Skanska USA CEO Michael McNally wrote a Washington Post op-ed titled, “Don’t Let Green Standards Wither,” the company announced its departure from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce due to the organization’s attempts to “halt progress in sustainable building.”  Before making its decision, the construction giant…

  A Republican-backed bill is being pushed through the House Judiciary Committee to make it harder for victims of asbestos to seek fair compensation. The mission of the bill is ostensibly to end abuse and fraud in asbestos based lawsuits. It has been supported along the way by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the [&hellip…;

Nearly 1 million American workers will see their pay increase in 10 states this year thanks to minimum wage raises. Of those states, nine will see a slight increase due to legislation that links or “indexes” their state’s minimum wage to inflation. In Rhode Island, a bill signed into law in June (that took effect [&hellip…;