Madison County Legislative Forum Comments - Economic Incentive Agenda

Testimony from Adam Keller, a delegate of the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 900, on the need for pro-family, pro-child, pro-worker economic incentive agenda:

 Last year, the Alabama legislature passed SB 231, a piece of legislation weaponizing public funds to attack unions. Specifically, the legislation would revoke any tax incentives from a company that choose to voluntarily recognize their workers’ union. 

Now that this precedent has been set, that we can use incentives to push towards broader social goals, I hope that our legislative delegation will support a suite of legislation that I expect to be introduced during this session that will strengthen Alabama’s commitment to children and families through our tax incentives to corporations. 

Specifically, Senator Merika Coleman has introduced SB 22, which would revoke tax incentives from companies that violate our child labor laws. I don’t think that it should be difficult to say “no public money for child labor exploiters.” We know that the epidemic of child labor in Alabama is largely driven by temporary staffing agencies. Existing laws already require these agencies to register with the Department of Commerce, but there is no enforcement. Representative Rafferty will be introducing a bill to compel the Department of Revenue to enforce the existing statute. 

The same representative will also be introducing legislation forbidding manufacturers who receive economic incentives from instituting mandatory overtime policies, to ensure workers can spend time with their families if they are so inclined. I would also like to see additions to similarly mandate parental leave, living wages, and strong retirement plans - ideally defined benefit pensions. 

This is a common sense suite of legislation that we should all be able to agree on. I do not want my tax dollars to fund the exploitation of children, the overworking of parents, or the poverty of working people while also funding the exuberant lifestyles of the out of state international corporate executives and private equity managers. I do not believe that I am alone in this room or in the state. I hope that this delegation will support this pro-family, pro-child, pro-worker economic incentive agenda.