Together with more than 100,000 independent workers across Wisconsin, we’re deeply disappointed Governor Evers has vetoed bipartisan legislation that would have made Wisconsin the first state in the country to provide independent workers with benefits like health care and retirement savings.
With just his signature, the Governor could have provided Wisconsin Dashers and other independent workers the benefits they want. DoorDash testified publicly that we were ready to participate in this landmark program. Instead, Dashers and other independent workers will be forced to wait even longer.
We commend Senator Julian Bradley, Representative Alex Dallman, Representative Sylvia Ortiz-Velez for their leadership and for listening to the voices of Dashers. The legislation that passed this year with bipartisan support was the result of more than three years of good faith engagement. To claim there was neither the time nor the opportunity for open dialogue is wrong. To claim this policy hasn’t been properly debated is incorrect.
By vetoing this popular and pragmatic policy, the views of a few special interests have been put before those of the vast majority of independent workers, including the views of the people those special interests claim to represent. In fact, two-thirds of Wisconsin voters from union households supported expanding access to portable benefits for independent workers.
Dashers have spoken out for years overwhelmingly in favor of this bill, writing to their legislators and testifying before the legislature. What they have asked for is simple and fair: access to benefits without sacrificing their independence. What they don’t need is more closed-door conversations or dialogue from groups who don’t speak for or represent them.
We’ve already shown through pilot programs in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Georgia that portable benefits work. DoorDash is ready to continue to fight side-by-side with Dashers over the coming months to get legislation signed into law in Wisconsin. The time is now for lawmakers to stay true to their word and deliver independence and security for more than 100,000 Wisconsin workers.
