In the News...

Work Share Act now law

Thursday, June 10 2010

The measure helps avoid layoffs; tuition flexibility bill also signed.

The Pueblo Chieftan
Thursday, June 10, 2010
By Patrick Malone

DENVER — In a legislative session when lawmakers frequently mentioned "sharing the pain," one bill sought to share the pay.

Gov. Bill Ritter on Wednesday signed into law SB28, dubbed the Colorado Work Share Act. It was sponsored by Rep. Sal Pace, D-Pueblo, and Sen. Rollie Heath, D-Boulder.

The law's aim is to spare workers from being laid off. It allows companies that intend to lay off workers to instead cut the hours across their work force, if the companies volunteer for the program.

The employees' wages for the lost hours would be paid on a pro-rated basis from the unemployment insurance trust fund. Under the program, the benefits would be available for 18 weeks, rather than the 26 that laid-off workers would be eligible for.

The abbreviated eligibility period will save the unemployment insurance trust fund an estimated $2 million annually.

Businesses must apply to the state to participate in the program and certify that they otherwise would lay off workers.

"My focus all session has been to protect jobs," Pace said. "I don't think there have been many measures at the Capitol this session that will keep people working more than this one. This is a jobs bill that's critical to assuring the economic future of the state of Colorado."

The law takes effect immediately.