The Columbian editorial Monday takes a dim view of the swinging hammock passed by the Senate last week.
Governments should create safety nets for people experiencing crises. And Washington state has a variety of safety nets in place. But now lawmakers are poised to create a hammock for all Washingtonians -- regardless of financial need -- and even paid in part by people who will never take a turn in the hammock.
Senate Bill 5659, passed by the Senate Wednesday, would grant five weeks of paid family leave to any worker taking time off from his or her job to care for a newborn or ailing family member. Who pays for the hammock? That'd be all of us.
It's a bad idea.
Lawmakers supporting this new entitlement think that at 2 cents an hour, the price tag isn't offensive. But local, state and federal taxes add up. ...
Neither businesses nor taxpayers should be required to pay people for work they do not do, beyond the customary vacation pay and sick pay. And governments should stick to safety net programs for people in true hardship, rather than hand out money to anyone who takes time off to care for a family member. Call your state representatives and urge a "no" vote on establishing a state-run family and medical leave insurance program.
Excellent idea.
