Democratic Gov. Tony Evers on Monday vetoed a Republican bill that would have allowed 14- and 15-year-olds in Wisconsin to work without parental consent or state permission.
Evers vetoed the bill, which passed Congress with all Republicans supporting it and Democrats opposing it.
The proposal comes amid widespread efforts in state legislatures to repeal child labor laws, despite federal law enforcement efforts to crack down on child labor violations, which are proliferating across the country.
New Wisconsin law requires schools to teach Hmong, Asian American history
“Requiring more children to work is not a serious plan or solution to address our state’s statewide workforce problems,” Evers said in his veto message.
Evers said he vetoed the bill because he opposed eliminating processes that ensure children are protected from employers who may exploit them or expose them to dangerous situations. Ta. Republicans do not have the votes to override the veto.
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers speaks on the floor of a joint session of the state Legislature during the State of the State address at the State Capitol on January 22, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (AP Photo/Andy Mannis, File)
Republican supporters said the changes would strengthen the state’s workforce by eliminating red tape for employers and teen job seekers. But opponents, including organized labor, argued that without a work permit system, there was no way for the state to protect the health and safety of children who wanted to work.
The proposal would not change state law that prohibits minors from working hours or hazardous work.
Mr. Evers vetoed the bill at a meeting of the Wisconsin State Council of Machinists in Madison.
Wisconsin AFL-CIO President Stephanie Bloomingdale praised the veto.
“The critical work permit process for 14- and 15-year-olds preserves parental rights and helps children safely continue working,” she said in a statement. “Dangerous efforts to weaken child labor laws in Wisconsin and across the nation come at a time when more children are being harmed in the workplace and taking on dangerous jobs.”
In 2017, then-Gov. Scott Walker signed a bill passed by Republicans in Congress that eliminates work permit requirements for 16- and 17-year-olds. The bill Evers vetoed would have expanded the exemption to include 14- and 15-year-olds.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Last year, Evers also vetoed a bill that would have allowed 14- and 15-year-olds to work late summer hours.
