[NFBMT] 2020 Presidential Primary Candidate Survey on Disability

Fri Oct 25 11:25:08 UTC 2019

I found this interesting, and thought you might, too.  It is encouraging to
me, at least, whether or not it actually turns into anything concrete which,
of course, I hope it does.  Joy 

From: NFB Legislative Directors On Behalf Of Justin Salisbury 

Sent: Thursday, October 24, 2019 11:19 PM
Subject: 2020 Presidential Primary Candidate Survey on Disability

Aloha Colleagues,

I'm wondering if we have, at any level of our movement, been talking to the
presidential campaigns about our legislative priorities. I have been doing it
a little bit, just in the course of talking to the campaigns like I would,
anyway. Are we making any kind of coordinated effort to do that?

I notice that some of the campaigns have been taking stances on issues like
subminimum wages, and it occurs to me that some of these candidates are
currently in positions to do something about it. For example, the Mayor of
South Bend, Indiana, might be able to do something to restrict the practice
in his city. Maybe that city sets its own minimum wage and could include us
in it, like what happened in Seattle. Maybe he could use executive power to
make it harder for the 14c certificate-holding entities to get funding from
the city. Maybe his administration could make a push to divest city funding
from anyone holding a 14c certificate. That's only one example, but we might
be able to get them to do things right now to show their support. 

Are we working on that?

I notice some really great coverage through a candidate survey performed by
the Disability Rights Center in New Hampshire. The results are posted here:
https://drcnh.org/2020-presidential-candidate-survey/

We find content like this:

Employment: What are your views on paying a subminimum wage based on
disability?

Michael Bennett, US Senator from Colorado

Oppose. Michael does not support paying a subminimum wage based on
disability.

Cory Booker, US Senator from New Jersey

Anyone who wants to work should be able to do so, in a job that pays a living
wage and offers meaningful benefits. That's why I'm a co-sponsor of the Raise
the Wage Act, which would raise the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour, and
phase out subminimum wages for workers with disabilities, as well as for
tipped workers and youth workers.

Steve Bullock, Governor  of Montana 

I support eliminating the subminimum wage. It my priority to ensure
competitive integrated employment for all individuals with disabilities.
increasing job training opportunities for people with disabilities. In
Montana, we have worked hard to substantially reduce subminimum wage
employment by more than 40% since the passage of the WIOA. Further, I would
work to increase funding for career opportunities through state partnerships
to ensure that there are more workplace opportunities for people with
disabilities. 

Pete Buttigieg, Mayor of South Bend, Indiana

I support repealing Section 14c of the Fair Labor Standards Act. No one in
the United States should be exempted from minimum wage laws. This practice is
indefensible. In office, my priorities will include increasing opportunities
for competitive integrated employment and ensuring that federal agencies are
fully committed to the employment of veterans with disabilities.

The list goes on, but I just took the first few in alphabetical order. In
case anyone thinks I'm supporting a particular candidate, I'll note that I
haven't picked one yet. 

I know that the work someone does in their existing office is technically
separate from the campaign for president, but I am hopeful that the
candidates believe 24/7 in these values that they express on the presidential
campaign trail. 

Mahalo,

Justin

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