Multiple bills introduced in the Legislature this session have made us scratch our heads or raise an eyebrow and ask “What?” or “Why?” Here are a few that confound us:
- HB 2574 to “prohibit employers from requiring employees and prospective employees to have devices implanted or otherwise incorporated into their bodies as a condition of employment,” introduced by Amy Summers (R-Taylor).
Um … what? We are truly curious what prompted this particular piece of legislation. Last time we checked, employers couldn’t force employees to have devices implanted into their bodies. Of course, we can’t think of any job that would require an employee to have a device implanted, nor what such a device could be.
Our guess — and our fear — is this bill is playing up the conspiracy theory that Bill Gates is trying to implant microchips in us through the coronavirus vaccine. At best, this bill is a nod to the QAnoners and conspiracy theorists in Trump’s base. At worst, it gives anti-vaxxers the loophole they need to refuse vaccinations, even if they work in a field where vaccines might be required for the safety of both employees and clients, like medical facilities.
- SB 69 creates the “ ‘Choose Life’ special registration plate supporting adoption” (with a distinct anti-abortion undertone).
This is one that made us ask “why?” SB 69 passed committee but the Transportation chair, Charles Clements (R-Wetzel), said production couldn’t even begin on the plates until 250 applications were received. But an organization can request a vanity plate to be created and only has to provide 100 applications. So far, no organization has requested such a license plate. In other words, there’s no demand for such a thing, so why was the Senate wasting time on a bill that serves no purpose?
- SB 11 — “Declaring work stoppage or strike by public employees to be unlawful” — lays out specific cans and cannots and penalties regarding teacher strikes.
Sen. Mike Caputo (D-Marion) pointed out the irony: The bill passed committee on the anniversary of the 2018 Boone County teacher walkout that prompted first statewide strikes, then national protests. A 1990 West Virginia Supreme Court decision ruled public employee strikes illegal, so in many ways, SB 11 is redundant. However, participants in the 2018 walkouts skirted consequences because counties closed schools due to lack of staffing; the new bill would require superintendents to take action and not cave to the unions, according to Sen. Eric Tarr (R-Putnam).
We agree with Sens. Caputo and Richard Lindsey (D-Kanawha) that this bill is entirely retaliatory. This is obviously a union-busting tactic, and arguably an unnecessary restriction on the right to peaceful assembly and to approach the government for a redress of grievances.
Which is worse for our students: Occasional work stoppages as teachers fight for fair pay and better school funding, or a dilapidated education system that can’t keep qualified teachers because of sub-par conditions and no right to fight for something better?
