Fear of the electorate wins: Franklin is latest to pass bizarre ordinance

Shrewd. Franklin has now joined the "anti-sick day" conga line.

Alderman Steve Taylor - - a decidedly pro-business alderman if ever there was one (he is single-handedly responsible for the Staybridge hotel's $9,000 grant from the city; somebody try to tell me different)- - was not present for the vote or debate. He may have been another "no" or "abstain" vote. This issue is so pressing and important, evidently, that the council deemed it appropriate to debate and vote on it without a member present - - the same member who wisely delayed the measure by having it sent for discussion to various commissions and committees.

But, at the same time, it's an unfortunate trade-off for Alderman Steve Olson in that he will not have the bogus "anti-business" bludgeon to wield on Taylor. You can't win 'em all.

So, when you feel the time has come to petition local government for remedy to abuses by an employer or employers in Franklin, remember who voted to take that right away from you just as we ramp up to uncertain and harrowing economic times. (FranklinNow, predictably, missed that element of the ordinance in their "analysis.")

Sick days? The ordinance doesn't even mention them.

Also: Shouldn't any alderman who employs people in a business of his or her own have to abstain from voting on this issue?

From franklinnow.com (complete with inaccurate headline)

Franklin is latest city to ban sick-day mandate

By John Neville, Franklin NOW

The Franklin Common Council Tuesday approved an ordinance that says the city cannot require Franklin private employers to provide "particular wages or benefits" to their employees.

The ordinance tallied "yes" votes from District 1 Alderman Steve Olson, District 2 Alderman Tim Solomon, District 5 Alderman Lyle Sohns and District 6 Alderman Ken Skowronski. District 3 Alderman Kristen Wilhelm, who opposed the measure, abstained. District 4 Alderman Steve Taylor had an excused absence and did not vote.

The Franklin ordinance, proposed by Olson, comes after city of Milwaukee voters in November approved a referendum to create an ordinance that requires employers to provide varying amounts of paid sick leave to their employees. St. Francis, Greenfield, Oak Creek, West Allis and South Milwaukee adopted similar ordinances earlier this year.

Comments

[Fred Keller]

From FranklinNOW:

"This whole business of government legislating sick leave, or any other kind of benefit, is government in a place they don't belong,' Sohns said."

Hmmm... So, by passing an ordinance stating that "the city cannot require Franklin private employers to provide "particular wages or benefits" to their employees, the City isn't legislating?

Okay...

[germantown_kid]

I am a big believer in the referendum. This one was an exception because the voters were voting themselves a benefit.

If Milwaukee wants this--fine. The unintended consequence is it will cost them jobs as more employers evacuate to Germantown, Meno Falls, and Franklin.

[John Michlig]

germantown_kid, you did not mention the TRUE consequence of the Franklin ordinance, which is to eliminate the possibility of citizen-driven reform.

Does business need regulation? Look around you!