In May, Gov. Larry Hogan vetoed HB 1, the legislature’s premier initiative of the 2017 General Assembly session. This costly and damaging bill requires paid leave even for part-time seasonal employees, and subjects business owners to harsh punitive penalties for even minor bookkeeping infractions. Ultimately, this bill risks the reduction of available hours and jobs to Maryland’s lowest-paid workers, and makes it harder for unemployed low-skilled workers to find jobs.
Together, we worked hard against any mandate requiring employers to provide leave, because mandates don’t account for affordability, and business owners are best equipped to decide what benefits to offer. We thank Gov. Hogan for hearing the concerns of the business community and vetoing HB 1. But our work is not done. Overturning the veto will be one of the first actions attempted in the 2018 General Assembly legislative session.
If you are a member, you can log in and access our comprehensive HB 1 advocacy kit, containing:
- existing studies
- template letter to legislator(s)
- template letters to the editor
- talking points
- suggested social media posts
- …and more
This member-exclusive kit demonstrates how you can effectively and efficiently advocate to sustain the veto of HB 1. Please use it often and contact the legislators recommended within it to sustain the veto.
You can also refer to our extensive coverage of the bill and its process, listed below, as well as our testimony against it.
2017 General Assembly Legislative Report (member exclusive)
The Leading Voice: Working together (June 6)
The Leading Voice: Let’s hold Gov. Hogan to his word (May 23)
The Leading Voice: How businesses thrive (May 9)
Stroke of midnight: What mattered to businesses in the 2017 General Assembly session? (Apr. 11)
NEWS BULLETIN: Mandatory paid leave (Apr. 4)
The Leading Voice: End in sight (Apr. 4)
The Leading Voice: Crossing over (Mar. 21)
Maryland Chamber applauds Gov. Hogan’s promise to veto HB 1/SB 230 (Mar. 15)
The Leading Voice: #MDCCWomen (Mar. 14)
The Leading Voice: Pressing issues (Mar. 7)
The Leading Voice: Leadership and legislative wins (Feb. 28)
The Leading Voice: #MDCCBlackInBusiness (Feb. 14)
The Leading Voice: Important hearings and the state of the Senate (Feb. 7)
The Leading Voice: The future of innovation (Jan. 31)
Maryland Chamber, business coalition unite to oppose mandatory paid leave (Jan. 23)
The Leading Voice: Moving Maryland forward (Jan. 3)
We look forward to our collective effort to make sure that business policy makes sense in Maryland. Please contact us if you would like us to share your concerns with legislators.
