Lawler Calls on Hochul to Explain Millions in Taxpayer Subsidies to Company Accused of Anti-Worker Practices

Washington, D.C. - 6/10/26… Today, Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) sent a letter to Governor Kathy Hochul demanding answers about New York State's decision to provide millions of dollars in subsidies to Rippling, a technology company facing allegations that employees were penalized and retaliated against for using paid family leave and exercising workplace rights.

New York reportedly awarded approximately $7 million in tax subsidies to Rippling despite allegations regarding the company's treatment of employees and questions surrounding the record of its leadership. The letter asks whether the Governor adequately considers a company's treatment of workers when determining eligibility for taxpayer-funded incentives and whether a company reportedly valued at approximately $16 billion should receive such economic development assistance at all.

"Recent reporting uncovered concerns with the company, including allegations that employees were penalized for using paid family leave given your role in enacting the first-in-the-nation paid prenatal leave law. Rippling has no place in one of the most union-friendly states in the U.S.," wrote the pro-worker lawmaker.

New York taxpayers should not be subsidizing companies accused of mistreating workers, particularly in a state that has long prided itself on standing with working men and women.

Lawler has consistently supported legislation to strengthen protections for workers and organized labor, recently voting for the Faster Labor Contracts Act to help newly unionized workers secure their first contracts more quickly and provided the decisive 218th signature to force a vote on legislation restoring collective bargaining rights for federal employees, and has championed legislation to improve workplace safety and protections for workers across multiple industries.

The full letter can be found HERE.

Congressman Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of Congress and represents New York's 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. He was rated the most effective freshman lawmaker in the 118th Congress, 8th overall, surpassing dozens of committee chairs.

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