After six hours of testimony, the paid sick day hearing comes to a close…

Sarah with Kevin Miller of the IWPR and testifiers from the Resturant Workers Opportunity Center

But it sure was exciting! This past Thursday, January 14, the Joint Committee on Labor held a public hearing for LD 1665: Paid Sick/Safe days.

The committee room was packed! Doctors, nurses, workers, parents, advocates, faith leaders, business owners and even a researcher from DC all turned out to speak in support of the legislation. In all, 30 folks show up to testify in support of LD 1165, and many more who just came to support the bill. The opposition also had strong turn-out but we held our own and really demonstrated the range reasons people support the legislation. From economic arguments, to health arguments, to moral arguments to arguments from business owners, every proponent who testified presented new and moving reasons to support LD 1665: a true demonstration of need for paid sick days.

Check out some of the media coverage below:

WGME: “Augusta lawmakers want guaranteed sick time”

WABI: “Employee Sick Time Bill Discussed”

WCSH: Lawmakers debate Paid Sick Time Bill Again

Kennebec Journal: Sick-days proposal pits business owners against worker advocates

Portland Press Herald: Employers oppose bill to require paid sick days

(TAKE THE POLL..)

Bangor Daily News: Paid Leave Proposal Spurs Hot Exchange

MPBN: Paid Sick Days Proposal Meets Strong Opposition From Businesses

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