Mayor de Blasio to Make Paid Sick Leave Bill Law

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio on Monday testified in favor of controversial paid sick leave legislation the City Council passed in February that the mayor is expected to sign into law later this week, Politicker reports.

The bill that will expand mandatory paid sick time coverage to businesses that employs five or more people, upping the number of people covered under a bill the council passed a year ago.

He's calling the controversial bill a "win-win," though a sizable number of council members fretted about the damaging impact the law could potentially have on small businesses-- that moving the minimum number of those covered from 15 down to five will badly hurt small businesses that are struggling.

Also, the bill's inclusion of a proactive investigative power by the enforcing agency was a concern for some small businesses that it would  lead to more aggressive and punitive enforcement, said City Councilmember Robert Cornegy, chair of the council's Small Business Committee.

"I share this worry, as well," said Cornegy, although he ultimately joined the majority of his colleagues and voted in favor of the bill.

Still, on Monday the de Blasio

declared the bill an example of progressive legislation in every sense: "Progressive because it recognizes the nature of modern society and the modern family. Progressive because it is compassionate and inclusive.

"Progressive because it helps our workplaces to be safer and our workforce to be more productive," he said.