Sick Leave Negotiations Dead, Governor Opposes Issue 4
Wednesday evening, Governor Ted Strickland and Lt. Governor Lee Fisher issued a statement indicating their opposition to the "Healthy Families Act" (HFA), the proposed paid sick-day initiative. Earlier in the week, Strickland had announced that his efforts had failed to broker a compromise deal to prevent Issue 4 from going on the ballot. The statement from the Governor and Lt. Governor indicated that "we believe that this initiative is unworkable, unwieldy and would be detrimental to Ohio's economy, and we will be opposing it and asking Ohioans to oppose it as a result."

The HFA, as proposed, would require all Ohio employers with more than 25 employees to provide at least one week of paid sick leave per year.  It would take effect in December.  The HFA also applies to part-time employees, allows leave without prior notice and in small increments, and prohibits discipline for use of leave.  It specifies that employers cannot reduce other leave to accommodate the paid sick leave. Members who wish to change their leave policies in preparation for the HFA should contact their legal counsel to accomplish this prior to the election. The ballot issue specifically prohibits making changes once the act becomes law.

Ohioans to Protect Jobs and Fair Benefits (OPJFB), made up of business organizations opposed to the ballot issue (including OHCA, the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, Ohio Contractors Association, and many others), continues its efforts to defeat the proposal at the ballot box, and OHCA has agreed to forward information from the group to members, including details on contributing to the campaign; printed materials are expected next week. The campaign will target its advertising campaign to early the voting period which begins 30 days prior to the election, and the 2-3 weeks immediately prior to election day.

The National Federation of Independent Business/Ohio (NFIB) this week released a study showing that the proposed Issue 4 would cost 75,000 Ohioans their jobs, while placing a $1.17 billion burden on the state’s employers. The study, which was conducted by the NFIB Research Foundation, also showed that Ohio firms could stand to lose $9.4 billion in sales from 2008 to 2012 if the proposal becomes law.

To contribute to OPJFB, please use the donation form. OPJFB has developed a website through which employers may learn more and join the coalition. For additional reference, OHCA Legal Counsel Rolf & Goffman has prepared fact sheet of frequently asked questions regarding the HFA.

OHCA has also scheduled presentations during a number of educational sessions to inform members of the impact of the Healthy Families Act, should it become law:

• September 5 – DD Residential Services: Rate Setting & More, Independence
  
• September 12 – Regional Meeting, Independence
  
• September 23 – Are You Ready for the HFA? Teleconference
  
• October 20 – 21 – Nursing Conference, Columbus
  
• October 28 – 29 – Assisted Living Conference, Columbus
  
• November 11 – 12 – Fall Conference, Columbus