LINCOLN- Local advocates and workers announced Tuesday that paperwork had been filed to begin collecting signatures to place a required paid sick leave initiative on the 2024 general election ballot. As of right now, an estimated 250,000 Nebraskans working full-time jobs lack paid sick days. Jo Giles, executive director of the Women's Fund of Omaha and a member of the new group 'Paid Sick Leave for Nebraskans,' believes this number is far too high.

"No Nebraskans should have to choose between their paycheck and their health or the health of their family," Giles told a crowd during the announcement of the petition drive, "But thousands of Nebraskans don't get any paid sick days." Jennifer Creager, senior vice president of public policy at the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, said her organization has been expecting such an initiative for quite a while, but that they need more time to review the plan before taking a stance.

"The bigger pushback," said Creager, "is from some of our smaller members. Some are just concerned about covering the work that needs to be done..." The ballot initiative, if passed, would require businesses to offer one hour of sick time for every 30 hours worked by temporary, part-time, or full-time employees. Smaller businesses, those with fewer than 20 employees, would have to provide at least five paid sick days per year for every full-time employee. Sen. Tony Vargas, who is now in the running for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional Seat, lauded the initiative. "This is about giving an option so that people can earn this time, and they're working," he said, "It's good for the economy." Roughly 90,000 valid signatures will need to be collected by July 2024.

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