Sens. Sampson & Harding Statement on Bill to Provide CT Taxpayer Funded Unemployment Benefits for Striking Workers

January 15, 2025

Sens. Sampson & Harding Statement on Bill to Provide CT Taxpayer Funded Unemployment Benefits for Striking Workers - CT Senate Republic

Sen. Rob Sampson and Sen. Stephen Harding today issued the following statement regarding Senate Democrats prioritizing a proposal to provide state taxpayer funded unemployment benefits for striking workers.

This is Connecticut Democrats’ priority? What a tone deaf, dangerous message to send to our business community. This proposal essentially tells companies to not do business in Connecticut. The ‘unwelcome’ mat is out. It reveals how out of touch the majority is.

The bill’s title is not accurate and is frankly misleading by design. The bill provides a way to interfere with a private, contractual, voluntary agreement. It puts one side at a disadvantage.

Republicans continue to have fundamental philosophical problems with this bill. Unemployment benefits are designed for a specific purpose. To qualify, workers need to be unemployed through circumstances that are no fault of their own, are able to work, and are looking for work. Workers who are voluntarily striking are in violation of all three.

All Senate Republicans voted no on this absurd bill last year. We commended the governor for vetoing it. His fellow Democrats apparently didn’t get the hint.”