Bill Would Protect Jobs For State Legislators Measure Would Require Employers To Give Lawmakers Time Off For Session

Rep. Roger Chase gladly sacrifices medical insurance, retirement benefits and lost wages to serve in the Idaho Legislature.

However, the Pocatello Democrat refuses to let the J.R. Simplot Co. fire him for serving as a citizen legislator.

After having to “beg” Simplot to grant him leave from his Pocatello chemical plant job, Chase is introducing a bill that would require employers to give workers time off to serve in the Legislature.

The House State Affairs Committee has agreed to debate the measure, which would require businesses with more than 25 employees to excuse workers elected to office.

It’s critical for common workers to have a voice in the Legislature, which is dominated by self-employed farmers and retired workers, Chase said.

“They don’t represent the majority of people in the state,” Chase said. “(Rep. Kent) Kunz and I are two of the few guys in this body who work for an hourly wage.”

All but two of North Idaho’s 15 legislators are either self-employed or retired.

The measure doesn’t require businesses to provide pay or benefits during the worker’s absence. Chase said it’s important for workers to negotiate lost wages and benefits with their employer.

Chase resolved his situation with Simplot but wants to ensure that other people running for the Legislature don’t encounter similar roadblocks.

“More people are finding themselves in the situation where government is being removed from the common man,” he said.

Chase expects business groups to oppose his plan because it would create a government mandate.

“No doubt, this is a mandate, but a mandate for the common good of the state of Idaho,” he said.

Fred Zerza, Simplot’s vice president of public relations, said the company didn’t hinder Chase from running for the House.

But Zerza said Simplot wouldn’t support the bill even though it exempts small businesses.

“If the success of businesses is jeopardized, it’s probably not a good idea,” he said.

Former Rep. John Alexander, D-Pocatello, resigned from the House this month to accept a job promotion. The Lockheed-Martin Idaho Technology employee said his situation doesn’t apply to Chase’s bill but that he supports its intent.

He added that most businesses already allow employees to miss work for the National Guard and Army Reserve.

“Public service is a lot of work,” Alexander said.

, DataTimes