State Rep. Gretchen Driskell, D-Saline, was one of the members of the House Commerce Committee, who heard testimony on March 7 on House Bill 4249, which would bar municipalities from enacting paid leave policies greater than those of the state or federal government.
The bill is meant to restrict the ability of a community to support the health and well-being of its workforce, according to the press release.
“As a former mayor, I believe that local governments know best how to meet community health issues,” Driskell said in the press release, adding, “Over 1.5 million workers in this state do not have sick leave. This becomes a public health issue when sick employees come to work or have to bring their sick children to day care because they cannot afford an unpaid sick day.”
If HB 4249 is passed, Michiganders could be forced to choose between going to work while ill – potentially endangering co-workers and customers – or staying home without pay, making it harder to make ends meet.
By posting your Democrat reps press release with no opposing views you are doing a disservice to your readers. House bill 4249 should be read in it’s entirety. Her press release is a politicians “sound bite ” and masks the intent of the bill to not allow forcing ALL employers to offer sick leave , some employers cannot afford such requirements. It goes on to say that government could not offer their own employees more than laws they would enact mandating employers to give benefits. Public employees are paid by our tax dollars. http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2013-2014/billintroduced/House/pdf/2013-HIB-4249.pdf