Rep. Hank Johnson Introduces Two Reasonable Bills

While Rep. Hank Johnson (D, GA-4) is often the butt of many jokes, he has already introduced two bills this session that could have a positive impact on Georgia and U.S. citizens: the Mobile Workforce State Income Tax Simplification Act of 2017 and the Arbitration Fairness Act.

The Mobile Workforce Simplification Act of 2017 is a re-introduction of a bill that passed the U.S. House in 2016. The bill would provide “that an employee’s earnings remain subject to full tax in the state of his or her residence. An employee would only be subject to another state’s income taxes if he or she works there more than 30 days per calendar year.”

I have personally seen the complications of working for a multi-state contractor. While the 30 day limit would not help many of our employees, it will help those that only occasionally work in other neighboring states.

The Arbitration Fairness Act seeks to “eliminate forced arbitration clauses in employment, consumer, civil rights and antitrust cases.”

Rep. Johnson:

“Forced arbitration closes the courthouse doors to Americans wishing to seek justice for a variety of civil claims, including sexual harassment and workplace discrimination. These arbitration clauses are often unwittingly entered into by consumers when they sign everyday contracts such as cell phone, car rental, credit card, and nursing home agreements to name a few. Forced arbitration undermines fundamental rights and protections guaranteed by the Constitution, federal and state law. Contrary to popular belief, arbitration decisions are final, binding, non-appealable, and strongly in favor of corporations. The result is a secretive and rigged process that prevents citizens from exercising their fundamental 7th Amendment right to a trial by jury.”