Bill Would Guarantee Up to 7 Paid Sick Days

The New York Times reports:

A long-stalled effort to guarantee American workers paid sick days takes a big step forward Monday with the introduction of legislation by Congressional Democrats.

The proposal went nowhere during the presidency of George W. Bush, but as a senator and then a presidential candidate, Barack Obama backed it, and Michelle Obama embraced the idea last week in a talk to business leaders.

Now women’s groups, labor unions and other supporters are voicing optimism about its prospects.

“The last eight years, you kept clawing and scratching and didn’t get anywhere, but we have a real opportunity now,” said Representative Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, who along with Senator Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts will introduce the measure. “There’s something wrong when people have to choose between their jobs and taking care of themselves or their families when someone is sick.”

Read about the proposal to raise the cost of doing business on firms with 15 or more workers.It seems like some in Congress want European style unemployment levels.