Big Apple Making Big Waves

[ClydeR]

Banning big sodas and good freedom fries wasn't enough. New York City is doing two new things that are sure to infuriate people on my side of the aisle. They're going to allow foreigners to vote and they're going to require employers to pay employees who don't come to work.



Proponents of immigrant voting say that they have a veto-proof majority of Council members who favor the proposal. The last major effort to allow non-citizen voting, in 2004, failed. Proponents are hoping for a different result this year.

More... (http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/citizenship-now/immigration-city-council-discuss-allowing-non-citizen-voting-article-1.1337555)



NEW YORK (AP) — In a significant victory amid a push for paid sick time laws around the country, city lawmakers voted Wednesday to make businesses provide the benefit to an estimated 1 million workers who don't have it now.

Saying they hoped that requiring sick leave in the nation's largest metropolis would set an example, City Council members positioned New York to become the most populous place to approve such a law during a campaign that has scored several victories but also a number of defeats. A mayoral veto is expected, but so is an override.

More... (http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/05/08/nyc-sick-days/2145393/)

[Whirlin]

First one is just city elections... Not like it'll have any bearing on national stuff.

Second one is paid sick days, which is already common in big businesses and white collar jobs... This is only an issue for the lower wage people in NYC such as clerks and chefs. Would you rather they come into work sick because they don't get adequate vacation days and can't afford to miss the day at work? Is that better or worse for the city when people go into public places when sick?

There are currently no federal laws that guarantee any vacation time for any employees. It is entirely managed on the state and local levels.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annual_leave

Even with that in mind, US still averages 12 days off a year, which is the lowest of first world nations, and 6 days below Japan, the second to lowest days off. But of course, these values are heavily skewed as you have to factor in things like presidential vacations... with the Bushs at 510 and 543 days per 4 year term, and Obama and Clinton at 131 per 1st term and 76 per term respectively. Although to be fair, Obamas vacation cost more than Bush's, and the only website I could find with statistics were clearly a liberal sides publication. Either way... pretty sweet gig with that much time off!