In his letter to the editor of Thursday, October 30, city councilor Brian Hoose advises people how to vote in the November 4th election. Unfortunately Mr. Hoose is himself uninformed, specifically on ballot question 4, which he says is a vote to raise the minimum wage. Question 4 has nothing to do with the minimum wage. That issue was decided in June of this year when the Governor signed the bill increasing the minimum wage to $9 per hour in 2015 and $11 in 2017. Question 4 is a vote to mandate that employers with 11 or more employees provide 1 hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked. This would include both part time and temporary employees. While the intentions of those who have brought this question forward may be good, and there are some good arguments in favor of it, the consequences of this mandate will be disastrous for Massachusetts small business and the Massachusetts economy as a whole. The results will be business closings, fewer new business start-ups, and fewer jobs for high school and college students. If you are in favor of this mandate, by all means vote Yes, it is your right. But then do not lament the loss of jobs to more business friendly states, the disappearance of locally owned businesses that cannot compete with giant corporations, and the Walmartization of American retail. Apology and correction on an editorial I submitted for 10-30-14. I messed up a copy and paste regarding Question 4. I still want to encourage people to vote YES on this question regarding paid sick time. The legislation is written with variations to reduce a harsh effect on small businesses. It is a pro-family and pro-worker referendum. Too often we say Pro-family unless it costs, here is a chance to put our money where our beliefs are. As well, I know many businesses want sick people working in their business and often give people time off as they sincerely care about their employees. The more usual culprits are those that don’t. I do not want to hear the Party line on this as elected people have great tax payer paid for benefits when they are sick. It is the reasonable/responsible thing to do. Again, sorry for the error. – Brian Hoose
