On January 28, Associate Director of Policy Karrington Anderson testified before the Appropriations Committee in opposition to HB 37 – Declaration of Rights – Right to Organize. This starkly-worded proposed constitutional amendment would establish a fundamental right for all employees in the state to organize and bargain collectively concerning compensation, hours, and other conditions of employment.
Counties vary greatly in size, workforce composition, and budgetary capacity, and the current system enables counties to determine whether collective bargaining aligns with their specific operational and fiscal needs. HB 37 would force counties without unions to implement extensive and costly collective bargaining frameworks.
While the public-sector collective bargaining is already permitted in many counties, the decision to bargain has historically and appropriately been made at the local level. HB 37 imposes a one-size-fits-all mandate that undermines local autonomy, creates significant financial burdens, and could disrupt effective workforce management.
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