Catapult advocates for employers in the NC General assembly.
We’re a founding member of the Employers Coalition of North Carolina (ECNC), the only group in North Carolina focused on representing the voice of N.C. employers in workplace-related legislation and regulation.
We focus on real-world problems and offer real-world solutions. ECNC plays a pivotal role in setting the legislative agenda for employers of all sizes.
Catapult monitors legislative issues and keeps members updated on developments.
We’re working to increase training opportunities for prospective employees to help relieve talent shortages for employers.
Catapult supports state solutions to reduce employer’s health insurance costs through legislative changes for self-insured plans while also opposing mandates on health insurance plans.
Whether by bill or rule, we oppose unnecessary regulations that increases costs for employers, which include but are not limited to additional wage garnishments, employer benefit mandates, and repealing right-to-work laws.
Catapult works to maintain worker’s compensation and unemployment insurance reforms passed by the legislature, while also seeking opportunities to improve both programs.
How we act
ECNC is represented in the NC General Assembly by lobbyist Connie Wilson, a former NC legislator who is consistently ranked as one of the top lobbyists in the state. ECNC:
- Runs grassroots communications campaigns aimed at shaping workplace legislation
- Testifies locally on legislative committees
- Opposes legislation harmful to employers and job growth
- Assists in drafting and revising workplace-friendly bills
- Educates legislators on workplace issues
ECNC Wins
Organized a grassroots campaign of Catapult Members to help defeat the “Wilkes Bill,” which would have substantially raised worker’s compensation costs in NC.
ECNC co-sponsored an expert study that recommended important changes to the state unemployment system. It also outlined how to repay our $2.8 billion federal debt. A reform law passed in 2013, based in part on the study.
ECNC led the successful challenge to Industrial Commission medical fee schedules that helped make NC one of the highest-cost workers compensation systems. This initiative saved tens of millions of dollars.
ECNC helped remove “guns in employee trunks” language from a bill that would have overridden company rules against weapons on site.
ECNC was successful in defeating a bill that would have greatly expanded NC’s garnishment laws requiring employers to garnish employee wages for practically any debt owed.
ECNC worked closely with a coalition concerned about a bill that would require corporations and LLCs to include the number of veterans they employ on their annual report to the Secretary of State’s Office. The coalition was successful in stopping the bill in the House.
Catapult and other partners across the state ensured the voice of employers was heard, and our NC legislators responded appropriately. Senate Bill 114, which maintains the 2020 UI experienced base rate of 1.9% instead of raising it for 2021 as previously planned, was passed resultingly.
