In Your Backyard - April 15, 2008

California
Governor Supports Retirement Proposal
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) threw his political heft behind a new proposal to open the California Public Employees' Retirement System to private sector businesses and workers to encourage Californians to save more for retirement. The proposal would allow Californians whose employers don't offer retirement savings plans to put money into the California Employee Savings Program. Employers without retirement plans could also participate.
Source: The Sacramento Bee

 

Illinois
Hastert Sells Business Leaders on Public Works Program
Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R) advised suburban business leaders to take the lead in lobbying for a capital construction project to mend and improve the state's infrastructure. Hastert has been traveling the state at Gov. Rod Blagojevich's (D) behest, seeking consensus on a proposed $25 billion program dubbed Illinois Works. Blagojevich and legislative leaders have failed to break an impasse over funding.
Source: Daily Herald

 

Massachusetts
Employers Scramble for Tourism Workers
Facing a looming labor shortage at their busiest time of year because of the standoff in Congress over immigration policy, seasonal businesses on Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Martha's Vineyard are scouring distant states and nearby cities for workers. Employers, who have relied for years on more than 5,000 seasonal workers from Jamaica, Bulgaria, Poland, and other countries, say they are unlikely to find replacements for all the cooks, waiters, housekeepers, and landscapers they need this summer. Some businesses are delaying openings, cutting back hours, and making plans to get by with fewer employees.
Source: The Boston Globe

 

New Jersey
State Passes Paid Sick Leave Law
New Jersey moved last week to become the third state to require companies to offer six weeks of paid leave to workers wishing to care for a new child or sick relative. The state Senate voted 21-15 to approve the bill. The Assembly approved the Democratic plan last month, and Democratic Gov. Jon S. Corzine said he'll sign it soon.
Source: Associated Press

 

North Dakota
Panel Looks at Employee Retention Solutions
With thousands of jobs going begging, North Dakota businesspeople and state lawmakers have been considering proposals to bring more workers into the state and coax those who are already here to stay. The Legislature's interim Workforce Committee is considering a higher education state income tax credit and a temporary state income tax exemption for workers who move to the state, among other proposals. The panel will use results from the talks to draft bills for the 2009 Legislature to consider.
Source: Associated Press