Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers addresses a joint session of the state Legislature in the Assembly chambers during his State of the State speech at the state Capitol, Jan. 22, 2019, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Andy Manis, File)
Republican supporters said the change would have eliminated red tape for employers and teenage job applicants and bolster the state’s workforce. But opponents, including organized labor, said that without a work permit system, there is no way for the state to help protect the health and safety of children who wish to work.
The proposal would not have changed state law governing how many hours minors can work or prohibiting them from working dangerous jobs.
Evers vetoed the bill at a meeting of the Wisconsin State Council of Machinists in Madison.
Stephanie Bloomingdale, president of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO, praised the veto.
"The important work permit process for 14- and 15-year-olds keeps parents’ rights intact and helps kids stay safe on the job," she said in a statement. "The dangerous push to weaken child labor law in Wisconsin and across the country comes at a time when more children are harmed at work or work hazardous jobs."
In 2017, then-Gov. Scott Walker signed a bill passed by fellow Republicans in the Legislature that eliminated the work permit requirements for 16- and 17-year-olds. The bill Evers vetoed would have expanded the exemption to 14- and 15-year-olds.
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Evers also vetoed a bill last year that would have let 14- and 15-year-olds work later hours during the summer.
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https://www.foxnews.com/politics/wisconsin-gov-evers-vetoes-bill-let-teens-work-without-parental-consent