Hogan's Accidental War on Full-Time Workers

ANNAPOLIS, MD - Yesterday Maryland Governor Larry Hogan announced he intends to introduce legislation which will require companies with 50 or more workers who work 30 hours or more per week to provide 40 hours of paid sick leave per year.

At face value, this seems like an excellent attempt at helping full time workers stay home when they're sick, so they can take care of themselves and not spread illness to others.

Unfortunately, as the famous saying goes, "results may vary".

For some companies, offering a week of paid sick leave to 50 employees may be too much to impact their bottom line. You see, when an employee calls off sick, if the job is something such as warehouse or manufacturing, the employer has to make a choice - either allow production to be negatively impacted (which costs money), or call in another employee to take over that shift (which also costs money). Now, the business must also cover the employee's pay as if they were still at work.

I know what you're thinking - but don't many businesses offer paid sick leave? Yes, many do. In fact, my own employer, which has less than 10 employees, offers a week of paid sick leave. However, that is part of why I chose my current employer, because of the employee benefits.

Benefits, not just wages, are a driving force behind employment decisions. A prospective employee is more likely to work for a business with lower pay and good benefits, than work for an employer with higher pay and no benefits.

So what is a business to do, if it has over 50 employees but can't afford to pay them a full week of sick leave? The business has two options - either cut back on the number of full time employees (thanks Obama!), or leave Maryland completely just like Beretta is doing because of Maryland's gun laws. Neither of these options is good for the employees or the state.

In all fairness, Governor Hogan is on the right track with his $20,000 tax incentive for paid sick leave for businesses under 50 employees. In my opinion, giving a business a tax break, instead of fining or penalizing them, is always preferable. Imagine how many additional full time jobs Maryland could possibly create if we created a sliding scale, not just offering tax breaks for businesses under 50 employees offering paid sick leave, but increasingly larger tax breaks for larger businesses.

Very rarely do I utilize this site to vocalize my own beliefs, and I absolutely believe businesses should offer their workers paid sick leave. But I cannot support forcing them to do so.

Please contact Governor Hogan today, and tell him this is a bad deal for Maryland workers. We want Maryland to be open for business, not driving away business.

Ken is the editor of the Liberty Chronicle. This editorial does not reflect or represent the view of his employers or clients.

Interview with Jasen Wunder, candidate for Congress of the 8th District in MD

Jasen Wunder, Maryland Congressional candidate for the 8th District

DM:  Thank you, Mr. Wunder for getting to speak with the Liberty Chronicle Independent so close to voting day.  You are running for the 8th Congressional District in Maryland.  How would you describe your role and duties as Congressman?

JW:  As a congressman, my job would be to enact legislation that best serves the people in the 8th district. This is best done by keeping Government out of their lives as much as possible.


DM:  Out of all the issues within your position, what is the most important to you and how do you plan on handling it as Congressman.

JW:  Term limits and pay reduction. My first act will be to filler buster the first chance I get until congress enacts a single two year term limit and a pay reduction from $174,000 a year to $56,000. They should only be paid the national median income.

DM:  In your opinion, what truly sets you apart from your opponents?

JW:  I am the only candidate who will lower taxes and expand privacy rights. I am also the only candidate who vows to serve only one single two year term and will only except a lower pay from the $174,000 to $56,000. I also give out my personal cell phone. (410) 916 - 5805 for anyone to call me at anytime.

DM:  What links can you provide such as website or Facebook page that will allow readers to learn more about your platform?

JW:  

My website: jasenwunder.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jasen-Wunder-for-Congress-of-the-8th-District-in-Maryland-1519727021690185

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JasenWunder

Personal Cell phone: (I like to give this out) (410) 916 - 5805

 

DM:  Thank you, Jasen for being able to answer our questions on short notice.  What closing thoughts would you like to add to for readers/voters in regards to gaining your vote come November 8th?

 

JW:  Thank you for the opportunity. I would like to say we need to start think of the Gov as being our employee and not the reverse. Term limits and a reduction in pay is significant. It is suppose to be public service and not a full time career. Call me anytime with questions or to tell me your ideas to strengthening our country.

This contribution is from Seattle-based independent journalist, David Malekar, Independent Associate Editor for the Liberty Chronicle Independent; who publishes content to the WashCo Chronicle and other online publications.

MD Governor candidate Shawn Quinn (LP), gears up for 2018 election

The following contribution is from Seattle-based independent journalist, David Malekar; who regularly publishes content to the WashCo Chronicle and other online publications.

Shawn Quinn (left) with Gary Johnson (right)

In 2014, Shawn Quinn took Maryland to a place previously unknown, in over 40 years.  Along with his Lt. Governor candidate, he was able to get the highest third party vote within the state, in 44 years.  The 2014 Governor candidate took a person-to-person approach with his campaign, to fight for the people.  His motto is, "It's About People." It truly has been the focus from day one.  Shawn had shown up for appointments and events all over the state.

Shawn was and still is currently the only candidate that is against the costly and life destroying "War on Drugs."  As Governor, Shawn is willing to help those with marijuana offenses, having them removed from their record; and allowing them to have the opportunity to succeed within the job market, again.  A protector and fighter for all amendments (freedom of speech, 2nd Amendment self defense, etc.), he will not compromise on your rights.  The plan is to cut the sales tax in half, down to 3% from the current 6% that is in place.  There is a focus on the removal of burdening and unnecessary regulations to help local businesses grow, and be created.  These are just a few changes and points, that his campaign focuses on.  (You can view previous interviews with Shawn Quinn here and here.)

With a lot more time to prepare for the 2018 election, many actions by Shawn are being put into action.  One of the campaign actions, is to make this happen for events and exposure:

Proposed campaign design Bus wrap

The following is a message from Shawn himself regarding the bus wrap:

I would just like to put this out to everyone. We are working on a bus wrap with the Libertarian party on the sides. If you can find it in your hearts to help out we could sure use $10- $20 dollars from our Libertarian friends. We are trying to have it done so we can take it to the National Convention. We will also be using it for parades this summer and any events we can get to. It will show pride in our party and our State. You can mail a check to "Citizens for Quinn" at PO box 1154, Lusby, Maryland 20657 or go to www.citizen4quinn.org and hit donate button. Please write "bus wrap" on index line of check. If we all chip in a little we can get this done. Thank you for your consideration. Live free.

Shawn is very optimistic with the road to 2018's, as he should be.  The journey for liberty and the people of Maryland has only just begin.

You can reach Shawn through his website at: citizen4quinn.org and on social media

Facebook:
Shawn Quinn for Maryland Governor
Western Maryland for Shawn Quinn
Marylanders for Quinn 

Urgent Request by former Candidate Leo Wayne Dymowski (LP) / Kidney Transplant

The following contribution is from Seattle-based independent journalist, David Malekar; who regularly publishes content to the WashCo Chronicle and other online publications.

Urgent Request by former Candidate Leo Wayne Dymowski (LP) / Kidney Transplant

Libertarian candidate Leo Wayne Dymowski
2014 Maryland candidate for Attorney General

In 2014, Leo ran with the Libertarian Party in Maryland, as a candidate for Attorney General.  He is now in dire need of a kidney transplant and needs our help.  The following is an excerpt from the website, akidneyforleo.org:

Leo Wayne Dymowski was born with only one kidney, a congenital birth defect, and that kidney has been malfunctioning since birth. Over the years his one kidney has slowly declined and at the start of 2016 it is functioning at about 10% of capacity. Leo is in urgent need of a kidney transplant. While he is on the University of Maryland transplant list, that is for a cadaver kidney. A kidney from a live donor is preferable for many reasons. Leo has always supported his friends and family members and now we need them to support him.

Representatives from the website have mentioned that the required blood type is "A," and that he can accept "A" or "O."  They also mentioned that there is a kidney bank "which pairs donors with recipients so blood type is not a disqualified."

You may contact him at the website's "Contact Us" page and/or
Phone: 410.282.5808 / 410.387.3007
Email: AKidneyforLeo@gmail.com

There is also an active Facebook page for support and community interaction at facebook.com/AKidneyforLeo2016.  Here's to finding your donor quickly and a fast recovery!