Welcome to our weekly column in which a topic of interest, piece of news, relevant opinion, or general request for feedback is presented. We’ll offer the topic du jour and accompanying question, and you have the opportunity to respond with your thoughts.
Simply fill out the form below. A collection of each week’s responses will appear in the following week’s column. To read last week’s responses on "Women’s Tribute Site Goes Unsupported?", click here.
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This week’s Feedback Friday topic is:
Controversial Paid Family Leave Legislation Passes
This week, the Maryland General Assembly passed the “Time to Care Act” which would provide paid family and medical leave up to 12 weeks to individuals for “specified personal and family circumstances.” The program would be implemented by Maryland’s labor department and funded through contributions by both employers and employees. In other words, another tax to businesses and paychecks.
“The goal is to make sure that individuals who suffer family tragedies or have a child are covered and have some paid leave and don’t have to decide between caring for their loved ones and going to work,” argued Del. C.T. Wilson, D-Charles.
But the legislation is not without critics; perhaps most notably the Maryland Chamber of Commerce, whose president and CEO, Mary Kane, issued the following statement in response:
The Maryland General Assembly passed a $1 billion payroll tax on Maryland businesses and working families. During a time when inflation is exceeding 8% for the first time in forty years and Marylanders are struggling to afford basic necessities – gas, groceries and housing – legislative leadership is choosing to add yet another deduction to the paychecks of working Marylanders and struggling businesses. It is a cost Marylanders simply can’t afford.
The workforce shortage continues to be one of the major issues facing small businesses. In response businesses are voluntarily raising wages, providing workers with more schedule flexibility and offering employees more opportunities and benefits. This costly leave mandate and new payroll tax will negatively impact Maryland’s economy by further stressing our already over-taxed businesses and placing the funding burden squarely on the backs of our workforce.
The Maryland Chamber of Commerce and our network of businesses across the state are disappointed that the General Assembly flip-flopped from the original proposal of establishing a commission to thoroughly evaluate the effects and cost implications of such a program. The bill that passed tonight was put together in a back room with the final version allowing limited input from Maryland stakeholders. We have been vocal on our desire to see a comprehensive evaluation of a paid family and medical leave insurance program before pressing forward with an ill-conceived, cost-prohibitive program like the one just voted on.
We are hopeful Governor Hogan will veto this dangerous legislation, protecting Maryland’s businesses and working families from another tax when they can least afford it.
What do you think? Are you for or opposed to this legislation?
Please share your thoughts by filling out this form. Today’s responses—and all future Feedback Friday responses—will be published in our Monday newsletters after the weekend. AND, several responses from recent topics will appear in our upcoming print magazines!
