Events Calendar
In This Section
Most Read Stories
Suitcase causes bomb scare at Akron bus terminal
Akron City Council OKs higher speed on I-77
Chapel Hill isn't rolling right along
Motorcyclist killed, wife injured in Stark County crash
New eateries expand menu of options
Man says he was punched, robbed by 3 people in parking lot
Patrick McManamon: Here's what the Browns should try the rest of the season
Louisville athlete commits to play for Boston College
Family found dead in Ohio home
Blogs:
Pets:
It Takes All Kinds
The Heldenfiles:
Tuesday Notebook
Patrick McManamon:
An interesting thought from a reader
Akron Zips:
Akron vs. Mount Union — Liveblog
Tribe Matters:
Indians announce spring dates
Cleveland Browns:
Mangini doesn't name a quarterback
Kent State Sports:
Flashes interested in another Cincinnati player
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Shaq: It’s All About Winning Championships
Buckeye Blogging:
Buckeyes Roll 100-60 / Season Outlook
Varsity Letters:
Report: Walsh baseball player commits
All Da King's Men:
More On The Fort Hood Jihadist
Blog of Mass Destruction:
Simply Incapable of Telling The Truth
Akron Law Café:
Health Care Financing Reform: (63) Commonwealth Fund Report on Primary Care
See Jane Style:
Muffle Your Muffler
Car Chase:
Clock Tender- Extending the Life of Collector Car Clocks
Let's Talk Real Estate:
Rumors: Akron Starbucks Closing
Ohio Travels with Betty:
Jack is looking for a trip to Southern Ohio the week of November 16.
Sound Check:
Aeromsith looking for new singer as Steven Tyler contemplates solo career
HRLite House:
Personal Rant – Why People Do Not Live in Northeast Ohio
Akron Gamer:
Video: 'Modern Warfare 2' hits the streets
The governor and business leaders want to repair a ballot issue mandating sick pay. They have much critical work to do
Published on Friday, Aug 08, 2008
Make no mistake about the difficulty in crafting a compromise. On Tuesday, proponents of the Healthy Families Act, including the Service Employees International Union and the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), filed their petitions. At the same time, they unveiled a 30-second television ad about ''thousands of middle class Ohioans facing a gut-wrenching choice'' stay home and care for a child or spouse or lose part of their paycheck.
The message resonates: Many Ohioans do not earn paid sick days at work. Early polls show voters favoring the initiative by a wide margin. The suggestion was: Proponents will go eagerly to the ballot.
Oppose sick pay? Yes, when the ballot measure is so poorly written, the omissions and ambiguities risking harm to the business climate. The task of bringing clarity and balance may be the most formidable in achieving a reasonable compromise. The last day for withdrawing a ballot issue is Sept. 5. The governor and his business partners have in mind a deadline of Aug. 15, one week from today.
In that time, they must make plain such matters as how to count employees. The measure mandates that all businesses with 25 employees or more provide seven paid sick days a year. The fuzzy elements include the definition of who would provide medical certification for sick leave and what steps employers could take to prevent abuse of the policy. Would unused leave accumulate from year to year leading to compensation when an employee left a company?
The measure would permit employees to use paid leave in small portions one hour or less. It would require employers to alter their current policies even if they essentially meet the requirements of the act. Both provisions smack of punishing companies.
All of this and more must be cleaned up. The governor made a worthy start, unveiling ''a compromise construct'' last week, a reminder that such an endeavor belongs in the give-and-take of the legislature not a narrowly conceived ballot issue. Ted Strickland and the engaged business leaders deserve credit for seeking a responsible way out of this dilemma. They also should be prepared to defeat such a poorly crafted initiative if it appears on the November ballot.
Get the full article here.
