Stamford Legislators Support Health Care Plan For Craft Breweries

From Advocacy Solutions: Today, Stamford state legislators are teaming up with Half Full Brewery and the Connecticut Brewers Guild in advocating for passage of legislation that -- if passed by both legislative chambers and signed into law by the governor -- would give full-time craft brewery employees better access to affordable health insurance.

In a newly released video from the Connecticut Brewers Guild, a full-time brewer at Stamford-based Hall Full Brewery, Jill Maggi, makes the case for passage of House Bill 7260, which seeks to exclude beer manufacturers, their employees, and employee dependents from various provisions of the state's insurance statutes for small employer health insurance.

"Craft breweries like ours employ hundreds of full-time workers statewide," said Maggi. "And state lawmakers can keep that number growing -- without spending a dime -- by allowing craft breweries to access more affordable healthcare options for their employees. Because every job that a growing industry like craft beer creates is another opportunity for our state to get ahead."

Maggi continues: "When local craft breweries succeed, it's not just our state's economy that gets stronger, it's our families and our communities. That's a win-win for Connecticut."

If codified into state law, it would allow for the Connecticut Brewers Guild to create its own pool of members to purchase plans and save as much as 20 percent on current rates. The Guild is a membership-based organization, currently representing 64 of the state's 85 breweries or breweries-in-planning.

Access to the plan would be for paying members of the Connecticut Brewers Guild. As many breweries employ under five employees, the program could offer one fewer thing for small business owners to worry about.

Phil Pappas, executive director for the Connecticut Brewers Guild, says that approximately 1,000 employees from across Connecticut would sign up, representing around 20 percent of Connecticut's craft beer industry workforce.

"This legislation is critical to ensuring that Connecticut's craft beer industry remains competitive with that of our neighboring states," said Pappas. "To retain and recruit the highest level talent in the industry, craft breweries need access to affordable health care plans to offer full-time employees the high-quality health insurance they deserve. This bill would do exactly that and serve as well-deserved relief for brewery owners and employees."

In March 2019, the Connecticut General Assembly's Insurance and Real Estate Committee voted 16-3 in favor of the bill.

State Senator Carlo Leone and Representative Patricia Miller -- who represent the legislative districts where Half Full Brewery is located in their respective legislative chambers -- said that this is a pro-jobs measure that doesn't cost the state a dime.

"Attracting highly-skilled workers, especially in the manufacturing sector, is important to the future of Stamford and our state," said Senator Leone, who also has another craft brewery, Lock City Brewery, in his district. "The craft breweries have been ginning up good-paying jobs across the state, and this measure will help the industry grow and thrive well into the future."

"Legislative measures that are pro-small business, and don't cost the state a dime, are exactly what we need," said Representative Miller. "This bill meets that threshold, and I'm proud to support it."

State Senator Alex Bergstein, State Representative Caroline Simmons, State Representative David Michel, and State Representative Matt Blumenthal -- all of whom represent Stamford in the legislature -- also support the bill.

“Craft breweries like Half Full and Lock City assist Connecticut in promoting our state as a true tourism destination,” said Rep. Livvy Floren. “This bill fosters even more growth for an industry that’s had such a positive economic impact for Stamford and our state.”

"Providing small businesses with better access to affordable health care options for their employees makes for a stronger business climate and economy," said Senator Bergstein. "This is a business-friendly measure that I'm proud to support."

"In Stamford and across the state, it's critical that we support measures that help small businesses thrive and create local jobs," said State Representative Caroline Simmons. "Not only does this measure meet and exceed that threshold, but it'll also help bolster an industry that generates tourism dollars. It's a no brainer."

"Small businesses like craft breweries employ nearly half of Connecticut's workers," said Michel. "Whatever we can do to help ensure that job-creating small business owners can provide their employees with high-quality health care, without breaking the bank, needs to be done. I'm a proponent of this legislation for exactly that reason."

"The craft beer industry in Connecticut is thriving," said Representative Blumenthal. "It's also an industry that is becoming increasingly competitive state-to-state. If we can take steps to protect workers while providing small business owners with an opportunity to provide high-quality health care to their employees at an affordable cost, we should do it. I support this effort and encourage others to do the same."

Maggi closes out the video by stating: "I hope that legislators support the Healthier Craft Brewery Employee Bill (H.B. 7260) and help craft breweries attract highly-skilled workers statewide."

The next step for the bill is to be voted on in Connecticut's State House of Representatives. If passed by the House, it will then go to Connecticut's State Senate for a vote.