The bill on paid sick leave by Democrats and by the Governor, show a great difference, even though both the bills seek to attain the same goal. The Democrats bill requires companies to provide sick days, while the governor’s bill offers incentives to businesses.

The governor’s office provided to the Department of Legislative Services, an estimate that, Gov. Larry Hogan’s paid sick leave proposal could cost $60 million each year.

Warren Deschenaux, executive director of the Department of Legislative Services said, “What the governor would like to do is incentivize smaller employers to provide paid sick leave by offering a tax credit.”

Companies with at least 50 employees will have to provide, five sick days to people, who work at least 30 hours a week, to get a $20,000 yearly income tax exemption.After the recommendations Augustine Commission, tax relief is modeled.

The Democrats paid sick leave bill, costs $400,000 a year. The bill requires, the businesses with at least 15 employees, including part-timers, to provide seven paid sick leave days in a year.

The bill’s sponsor, Delegate Luke Clippinger said, “It’s a fiscally responsible bill. It costs a lot less, covers more people.”

40 percent of the state’s workforce, more than 700,000 people, cannot earn paid sick days to use, when they or a family member becomes ill,as per Institute for Women’s Policy Research estimates.

House Speaker Michael Busch said, “Paid sick leave is one of our priorities. We passed the bill out in the same form this year. Obviously, the governor has piggybacked on the bill.”

Clippinger said,”To say the least, I’m happy to speak to the governor if there are things we can do together. I never want to rule those things out.”

Both the bills have certain similarities like, companies with existing leave policies, and meet minimum requirements will not be affected, and union agreements will also be honored.

Last year, after several attempts, to tack on an income tax relief measure, the same bill died in the Senate.

By Mrudula.