Nebraska GOP amend paid sick leave initiative despite overwhelming support

Over the past week, debate raged in the Nebraska Legislature over the parameters of the state’s new paid sick leave initiative, which was strongly affirmed via ballot measure during the 2024 election cycle. 

Known as the Nebraska Healthy Families and Workplaces Act — which was supported by almost 75% of voters — the measure was designed to mandate that Nebraska employers provide paid sick leave for family health needs. Employees would be eligible for 40 hours of paid sick leave if their firm employed 20 or fewer workers and 56 hours for workers at businesses with more than 20 employees.

However, GOP members of the legislature sought to inculcate some firms from being obligated to provide sick leave in the name of protecting small business. In particular, it was Sen. Paul Strommen who pushed for an amendment to the law for those employed in seasonal agriculture, workers under 16 and firms with less than 10 employees. 

“Smaller businesses operate on thin profit margins and will not be able to compete with larger companies that can more easily absorb the costs of mandated benefits," Stroman said in defense of Legislative Bill 415 on Wednesday. "As a result, small businesses will be forced to shut down, eliminating employees altogether. In either event, this will lead to lower wages, less competition, and likely fewer benefits over time."

But those on the left, like progressive independent Sen. Megan Hunt pushed back against efforts to undermine the ballot measure.“Illness doesn't check someone's age or what type of job they have," Hunt said. 

"A sick farm worker can spread the flu just as easily as any other worker, maybe more so in the close quarters of seasonal housing. A sick teenager in a restaurant can get other customers sick, and this amendment invites more people to work sick, and that endangers all of us."

Ultimately, Stroman’s alteration of the law passed. Today, 33 of the Legislature’s Republican members (and one Democrat) voted in favor. Activists with the Paid Sick Leave for Nebraskans coalition were quick to denounce the move. 

“We are extremely disappointed by the Nebraska Legislature’s egregious disregard of the will of Nebraska voters,” the group said in a statement. 

Following the passage, Hunt, one of the most vocal supporters of the ballot measure, took to social media to denounce the passage of the amendment.