De Blasio Expands Sick Leave In New York City

New New York Mayor Bill De Blasio’s first legislative accomplishment is expanding the paid sick leave law.

More than half a million New Yorkers will receive paid sick days thanks to the bill, which will be fast-tracked through the City Council. The new speaker of the council, Melissa Mark-Viverito, stood with de Blasio outside a Brooklyn restaurant to announce the legislation, long a dream of liberal politicians and activists, but her presence seemed indicative of more.

Mark-Viverito is the liberal de Blasio’s ideological match and a partner at the controls of government. She leads a council that largely shares de Blasio’s beliefs and appears poised to rubber-stamp much of his agenda, a sharp contrast between the often contentious relationship between the council and the previous mayor, Michael Bloomberg…

“Under this legislation, the lives of over a half-million New Yorkers will be immeasurably better,” de Blasio said outside a restaurant in the Bushwick neighborhood. “Families will be stronger and more stable because they will have paid sick leave coverage.”

Some small businesses have feared that having to pay employees for sick days would produce an economic hardship. A leading business group, the Partnership for New York City, offered a measured endorsement of de Blasio’s plan.

“Our hope is that these amendments to the current law will expand protection to more workers who need it, but avoid undue hardship on employers,” said Kathy Wylde, head of the organization.

 

By: Alan

Alan Colmes is the publisher of Liberaland.