States Take Lead on Wage Infractions; Federal Bill Returns Soon (1)

Congressional Democrats plan to reintroduce legislation to ensure workers get paid for all their work time. States, meanwhile, increasingly are taking the matter into their own hands.

Congress previously didn’t take up a “wage theft” bill from Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) and Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), and the measure likely again will face opposition from Republicans and business groups when a similar measure is expected to be introduced later this month. A number of state governments, on the other hand, have enacted laws establishing strict repercussions for employers found to be withholding workers’ pay.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) May ...