Council Members Feel Stung By Mayor Nutter’s Veto Of Sick-Leave Bill

June 29, 2011 12:35 PM

(Philadelphia city councilman Darrell Clarke, in file photo. Photo by Steve Tawa)

Reporting Steve Tawa

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PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Now that Mayor Michael Nutter has sent Philadelphia City Council word for the second time in less than a week that he’s vetoing recent legislation — the latest is a sick-leave bill — some Council members are accusing the mayor of hypocrisy.

In his veto message, Nutter said the bill mandating paid sick leave for most employees could put thousands of jobs at risk and discourage businesses from coming to Philadelphia (see related story).

Councilman Darrell Clarke, one of the measure’s cosponsors, called the mayor’s remarks “inconsistent.”

“This administration has either supported or even proposed a number of initiatives that were only for the City of Philadelphia, such as the sugar tax and one percent increase in sales tax, that in all accounts would have created burdens on some of the businesses in Philadelphia,” he told KYW Newsradio.

But Clarke says that when critics claim government should not mandate how businesses operate, he responds that their argument sends the wrong message.

“If we took that position years ago we would not have minimum wage, we would not have child labor laws that support workers’ rights,” Clarke says.

Another cosponsor of the sick-leave bill, Councilman Bill Greenlee, says they made 19 changes to the legislation to accommodate complaints from employers.

“We felt that we were cooperating with the business community to try to get the best bill for all concerned,” he says.

The sick-time bill passed by the bare minimum, nine votes to eight. If Council attempts to override the mayor’s veto when sessions resume in September, 12 votes will be needed.

Reported by Steve Tawa, KYW Newsradio 1060

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Council Members Feel Stung By Mayor Nutters Veto Of Sick Leave Bill

Francis Graff

I don’t know Darrell, two vetoes is mighty “consistent” sounding to me.
sammysamples

I made a plain statement Kathy and you’re playing with figures. How many of your 40% of businesses is based on very part-time workers. I also have no idea where you’re getting your “research” from, about young people only taking off 3-4 days a year, you’re making me laugh. Will admit that I didn’t see the bill and really don’t know what “modest” amounts were suggested, but as I mentioned before, people take advantage. Politicians also take advantage by passing a small bill to start with, then casually upping it the next year, ahem,ahem,ahem.
DUH

Hey Clarke, reach back, grab both shoulders, and quickly pull your head out of your A$$………Your comparison of WHY this should happen is SO very weak, lame and irelevant!!! You should be embarrassed and perhaps think twice before you say something SO VERY STUPID!!!!!
YOU’RE KIDDING US, RIGHT?

Who the HELL is city council to tell businesses how to handle sick leave??? EVERY one of these JERKS needs to be voted out…..including Darrell Clarke! This council is just TOTALLY out of control and out of line. You’d all be better suited with another scam group, such as the DRPA. UNREAL!
Vinniec

Once again, government looks to step in somewhere it should have no say. Work on getting rid of DROP and keep your hands out of the cookie jar!
billy

how can the city tell a buisness to give paid sick leave when at the same time they punish there own workers that use(not abuse) sick time.
sammysamples

With the work ethic of the younger generation out there I must admit that I’m behind Nutter this time. Most businesses give you some sick days anyway. The businesses that don’t are usually private and will compensate you on their own anyway. Forcing a business to pay for extended sick leaves is something that many small ones simply can’t afford. It would be nice to have a law like this, but I think too many people these days would take advantage of it.

Kathy Black

More than 40% of businessesin Philadelphia don’t provide sick leave, and very few offer extended leave – nor would this bill call for that. It reqires very modest amounts of leave, and contrary to your assumption, research shows even young people take only an average of 3-4 days per year, no matter what they are allotted. Your view of your fellow humans is disheartening. They’re better than you think. Also, the smallest businesses were exempted, and the next tier has reduced requirements.