Why I Support Paid Sick Leave

Local news host Bill Buckmaster noted on Facebook that everyone has the "Tucson Cold." This is a sign that too many people are going to work and/or to school sick.
Local news host Bill Buckmaster noted on Facebook that everyone has the “Tucson Cold.” This is a sign that too many people are going to work and/or to school sick.

Tucson City Councilwoman Regina Romero is leading the charge to require local businesses to provide paid sick leave for employees.

As someone who has been in management for more than 20 years, I fully support paid sick leave and the city’s proposed ordinance. At first glance, paid sick leave appears to be an expense that businesses don’t want or need, but in reality, requiring employees to come in sick is far more costly in the long run because it hurts productivity, diminishes customer services and spreads disease in the community.

Many years ago, I ran a large program at the University of Arizona with 40 employees and a $1.5 million budget, at its peak. At the UA, coming in sick was seen as some sort of martyrdom to be celebrated. “Oh, look, she is so dedicated that she came in sick.” Hogwash. Coming to work sick should be discouraged, not celebrated or required.

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Tucson 2015 General Election results – updated

Up for re-election this year were Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild, with only token opposition from 3 Independent write in candidates, plus three Tucson City Councilmembers: Ward 1 Regina Romero, Ward 2 Paul Cunningham and Ward 4 Shirley Scott.

Election results:

Mayor

Jonathan Rothschild (D)   52,805 (winner)

Write in –  3722

All 3 Democrats are leading in the Council races, likely winners:

Ward 1:

Bill Hunt (R)   29,025

Regina Romero (D) , incumbent  38,753  (winner)

Ward 2:

Paul Cunningham (D), incumbent  38,539 (winner)

Kelly Lawton (R)  29,067

Ward 4:

Margaret Burkholder (R)  30,154

Shirley Scott (D), incumbent  37,406  (winner)

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AZ Daily Star endorses Romero, Cunningham, and Burkholder for Tucson City Council races

If you care about endorsements and haven’t decided whom to vote for yet in the upcoming Tucson City Council races in Wards 1, 2 and 4, here’s the list of recommendations from the Arizona Daily Star newspaper editorial board:

Ward 1: Democrat Regina Romero, 2 term incumbent over her Republican challenger:

Ward 1 Councilmember Regina Romero
Ward 1 Councilmember Regina Romero

http://tucson.com/news/opinion/regina-romero-represents-tucson-ward-well/article_4f4ef950-7f4b-57ef-b97d-d0344582dcec.html  (October 8, 2015 print edition, page A13)

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Watch Zona Politics’ candidate debates for Tucson City Council races in Wards 1, 2, 4

Over these past weeks, Tucson Weekly senior writer Jim Nintzel, host of Zona Politics (TV show on Sunday mornings at 8 a.m.) interviewed all the candidates running for election in the Tucson City Council races.  Here’s a recap of the debates, in case you don’t know whom to vote for:

Ward 1 on Sunday Sept. 13:  incumbent, 2 term Democrat Regina Romero vs.
Republican challenger Bill Hunt:

http://www.tucsonweekly.com/TheRange/archives/2015/09/11/zona-politics-ward-1-debate-between-tucson-city-councilwoman-regina-romero-and-gop-challenger-bill-hunt

Ward 2 on Sunday Sept. 20: incumbent 1 term Democrat Paul Cunningham vs. Republican challenger Kelly Lawton:

http://www.tucsonweekly.com/TheRange/archives/2015/09/18/zona-politics-city-council-debate-between-councilman-paul-cunningham-and-gop-challenger-kelly-lawton

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Tucson Metro Chamber endorses Councilmembers Cunningham & Scott, Ward 4 candidate Burkholder

Tucson Weekly writer Jim Nintzel got the scoop on these endorsements from the Tucson Metro Chamber of Commerce for the upcoming Tucson City Council races: http://www.tucsonweekly.com/TheRange/archives/2015/09/25/tucson-metro-chamber-endorses-cunningham-scott-and-burkholder-in-council-races

They did NOT endorse either candidate in Ward 1: Democratic Councilmember Regina Romero seeking her 3rd term, or Republican challenger Bill Hunt (political newcomer)

Ward 2: the Metro endorsed current 1 term Democratic Councilmember Paul Cunningham, over his Republican challenger Kelly Lawton (political newcomer)

Ward 2 Councilman Paul Cunningham
Ward 2 Councilman Paul Cunningham

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