Connecticut House Bill HB06082

Connecticut 2017 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/20/17
• Refer: 1/20/17

Caption

An Act Defining "insufficient Funds" For Purposes Of Legislative Rejection Of State Employee Arbitration Awards.

Impact

The passage of this bill would alter the legislative framework surrounding employee arbitration awards, especially in cases where the state budget is strained. By defining 'insufficient funds' with clear financial indicators, state lawmakers would have a guideline to follow when deliberating on arbitration decisions. This could potentially lead to more consistent outcomes regarding state employee pay and benefits during negotiations, particularly in times of fiscal stress. The implications of this bill reach into aspects of employment law and labor relations within public sectors.

Summary

House Bill 06082 aims to define the term 'insufficient funds' in the context of legislative rejection of state employee arbitration awards. The bill proposes specific parameters that would indicate insufficient funds, which include projecting a budget deficit for the current fiscal year, incurring a deficit from the previous year, and exceeding certain thresholds regarding state expenditures and liabilities. By clarifying these conditions, the bill seeks to provide a structured approach for evaluating state financial health and its implications for collective bargaining processes involving state employees.

Contention

Notable points of contention may arise around how the defined terms might be interpreted and used in practice. Critics could argue that the parameters set forth for 'insufficient funds' may limit the ability of state employees to receive fair arbitration outcomes, particularly in times of necessary funding for vital public services. Opponents may also raise concerns regarding the fairness and transparency of the budgetary decisions that determine whether funds are classified as insufficient, leading to potential disputes about the priorities of state funding allocations.