Evers vetoes a Republican bill that would have allowed teens to work without parental consent

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Tony Evers on Monday vetoed a Republican bill that would have allowed 14- and 15-year-olds in Wisconsin to work without getting consent from their parents or a state permit.

Evers vetoed the bill that passed the Legislature with all Republicans in support and Democrats against it.

The proposal came amid a wider push by state lawmakers to roll back child labor laws and despite the efforts of federal investigators to crack down on a surge in child labor violations nationally.

“Asking more kids to work is not a serious plan or solution to address our statewide workforce issues,” Evers said in his veto message.

Evers said he vetoed the bill because he objected to eliminating a process that ensures children are protected from employers who may exploit them or subject them to dangerous conditions. Republicans don’t have the votes to override the veto.

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.

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