THE POLLS ARE OPEN IN ALBUQUERQUE ON THIS ELECTION DAY. WE’RE DECIDING WHO WILL BE MAYOR, WITH SEVEN CANDIDATES TO CHOSE FROM SINCE RICARDO CHAVES DROPPED OUT OF THE RACE LAST WEEK. THERE ARE ALSO FIVE CITY COUNCIL SEATS OPEN.
BUT ONE OF THE BIGGEST QUESTIONS ON THE BALLOT IS A SICK LEAVE ORDINANCE THAT WOULD GIVE EMPLOYEES IN ABQ AN HOUR OF SICK LEAVE FOR EVERY 30 HOURS WORKED. THOSE WHO WORK FOR BUSINESSES WITH FEWER THAN 40 EMPLOYEES WOULD BE ABLE TO USE UP TO FIVE DAYS OF SICK LEAVE A YEAR. AND WORKERS WITH LARGER COMPANIES WOULD GET SEVEN DAYS OF LEAVE.
HEALTHY WORKFORCE ALBUQUERQUE THINKS THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE IS GOOD NEWS FOR FAMILIES … BUT THE ALBUQUERQUE COALITION FOR A HEALTH ECONOMY SAYS IT’LL HURT SMALL BUSINESS. THE POLLS, OF COURSE, ARE OPEN UNTIL 7:00 TONIGHT.
