[NFBMT] 2020 Presidential Primary Candidate Survey on Disability

[sheila leigland]

hmmm interesting. thanks for posting this.

On 10/25/2019 5:25 AM, BRUCE&JOY BRESLAUER via NFBMT wrote:
> 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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