Marylanders have mixed feelings after paid sick leave bill is vetoed
In Maryland, supporters of paid sick leave are rallying against Governor Larry Hogan's veto, but it appears there are still mixed feelings on this bill from both lawmakers and residents.
Delegate Carl Anderton Jr. is optimistic that Maryland lawmakers will come to a resolution since Gov. Hogan vetoed a paid sick leave bill. The bill would have required businesses with 15 or more employees to provide 5 paid sick days .
Governor Hogan said this legislation would hurt the state's economy, particularly small business.
"We've heard from a lot of smaller businesses who say they are going to stay under the 15 employee threshold, so they don't have to offer paid sick leave, that's way counter-productive," says Del. Anderton.
Del. Anderton tells 47 ABC he sees the pros and cons of the bill.
"I've worked for businesses that didn't offer it, and I worked for places that did, and the ones that did was a really welcomed benefit, if you're kids are sick you can stay home with your kids, you're not struggling with somebody to take care of them," says Del. Anderton.
The conflicting opinions have led folks to rally against the governor's veto.
Monday morning, Working Matters, a local coalition showed its support for the bill, and it appears that some residents on the Eastern Shore feel the same.
"Whether you are big or small, you should offer your employees paid sick leave," says Quindoria Holbrook, a Salisbury resident.
"You have so many bills you have to pay, and if you have to take off a long period of time, it will hurt you and you'll get behind on your bills," says William Hadder, from Salisbury, MD.
Del. Anderton says there is still plenty of work to be done in order to draft a bill that works for both businesses and employees.
"We need to get to a spot where it is conducive for anybody, to offer those benefits," says Del. Anderton.
Delegate Luke Clippinger, the main supporter of this bill, says the next step would be attempting to get enough votes from the General Assembly to override the Governor's veto.
Govenor Larry Hogan office released this statement in regards to Monday's event :
"Governor Hogan supports common sense paid sick leave. The governor is committed to working with legislators, small business owners, workers, and advocates on a common sense, bipartisan, balanced plan that provides paid leave benefits to hardworking Marylanders without hurting our small business job creators. Fortunately, House Bill 1 is not slated to take effect until January, which means – as the governor said last week – there is still time to get this right and compromise on a better bill."
