Seattle: "Economic Death Wish Capital Of America"
That's how economist @Mark_J_Perry put it, upon reading that a Seattle Council candidate wants 12 weeks of parental leave for all employees. From all businesses, public and private.
I couldn't believe it so I looked at the proposal. And yes, that's what he wants. All businesses, even if you have just one employee, as I do.
Which would absolutely kill me. To lose the woman who edits me for 12 weeks, to have to pay her for those 12 weeks, and to then need to hire somebody new to take her place while she's gone. I couldn't do it financially.
And why should it be on the employer? You want to have children; you want to take time off; you save money up to do it rather than expecting somebody else to cover it.
Jon Grant, the idiot doing this, has a sneaky way to get this past lefty business owners who couldn't afford it, and that's by hiding the cost in high taxes -- especially to businesses doing well.
As Natalie Brand writes at KING5 [annoying autoplay video]:
Companies would be taxed on a percentage of gross receipts of business. Grant's proposal gives an estimate of .43 percent to .83 percent based on business classification."A larger company like Microsoft, or like Amazon, pays a larger portion of the tax that then gets redirected towards smaller businesses," said Grant.
When asked if they expect to encounter resistance from the local business community, Grant and Beach said they believe it will ultimately help business through a healthier workforce.
I'd be healthier if, instead of sitting in my chair and writing seven days a week, somebody sent me on a spa vacation. Should the taxpayers be picking that up?
The entire labor force, is going to become independent contractors.
This is the only way around most of this foolishness.
Isab at September 19, 2015 7:38 AM
Company-sponsored health insurance started as a response to government over-reach. Depression-era wage and price controls made it impossible for companies to offer raises or higher salaries to attract workers. So, they stared offering benefits, like company-sponsored health insurance.
Now, the government has made those benefits a mandatory part of doing business.
Businesses will find a way around higher labor prices (caused by mandating more and costlier benefits), including part-time employees, contract employees, reduced shifts, and, when feasible, offshoring.
Unlike the Depression-era benefits offerings, employees will not be better off for those workarounds.
Unintended consequences.
Conan the Grammarian at September 19, 2015 7:59 AM
Tax on gross receipts? In other words, you get hosed even if you lose money. Or more realistically, your customers do.
Note to legislators: There's a big difference between what you think you're doing and what you're actually doing, and only one of the two is all that important.
Old RPM Daddy (OldRPMDaddy at GMail dot com) at September 19, 2015 9:08 AM
Nice. Can I get 12 weeks off paid if I have an ailing parent? The dog is sick? I want to adopt a parrot? I mean, since I didn't have kids, this is yet another benefit I don't get, but I get to pay for.
Daghain at September 19, 2015 9:55 AM
More redistribution, undoubtedly with a fat slice going to pay more bureaucrats.
@Dagham: You need to move to California. Employers there are required to give you paid leave if you can claim to be a stalking victim. or any of more than 20 other reasons.
When can we start burning regulations and firing the bureaucrats?
a_random_guy at September 19, 2015 10:02 AM
When can we start burning bureaucrats and firing the regulations?
Fixed it for ya. Yer welcome.
Tar and feathers work, too.
I R A Darth Aggie at September 19, 2015 11:36 AM
There ought to be a new law - no more laws until 2/3rds of all laws are repealed.
Dave B at September 19, 2015 11:53 AM
Just over the city limit from Seattle are some kinda beat-up crappy suburbs (Burien, Tukwila, White Center). I'd love to own commercial and industrial real estate in those places, they will soon be in high demand as businesses flee Seattle's $15 an hour minimum wage and soon-to-be 12 weeks of mandatory parental leave.
David Crawford at September 19, 2015 12:19 PM
Lots of countries have maternity leave and do just fine.
I dont think it can work when it is just a city though, for the reason David cites.
NicoleK at September 19, 2015 12:46 PM
Lots of countries have maternity leave and do just fine.
Most of those countries have a higher tax base, ad have their national defense bought and paid for by the US tax payer
lujlp at September 19, 2015 12:51 PM
I want to adopt a parrot? I mean, since I didn't have kids, this is yet another benefit I don't get, but I get to pay for.
Exactly Daghain, and kudos on the parrot suggestion. Funny.
Amy Alkon at September 19, 2015 3:05 PM
Tenants' Union Director Jon Grant is a candidate for an open seat on the Seattle City Council. His election web page advertises him as an economic and social justice advocate. Basically he's worked on affordable housing with the Federal HUD and lobbied for rent control. One of his complaints is the high cost of housing, but he seems to be working tirelessly to increase it.
This 12 weeks off proposal is just vote buying. What a git.
Canvasback at September 19, 2015 3:36 PM
If we're getting paid time off, can I have a taxpayer funded monthly golf resort vacation?
Jjak at September 19, 2015 4:09 PM
If we're getting paid time off, can I have a taxpayer funded monthly golf resort vacation?
Posted by: Jjak at September 19, 2015 4:09 PM
Sure, just get yourself elected POTUS. No problemo
Isab at September 19, 2015 6:15 PM
"Lots of countries have maternity leave and do just fine."
Here's a question you should be able to answer instantly:
Name the products of those "lots of countries".
Are they cheap?
There is NO SUCH THING AS "FREE".
Radwaste at September 19, 2015 6:19 PM
a_random_guy: "When can we start burning regulations and firing the bureaucrats?"
The problem is most of the voters in Seattle like those regulations.
Ken R at September 19, 2015 10:13 PM
Your assistant is a freelancer, not an employee. And that's what Seattle businesses will do--everyone will be a contract hire. Countries that require lots of parental leave policies also have a LOT of government employees.
kateC at September 20, 2015 1:16 PM
@Daghain: "She was not quite what you would call unrefined. She was the kind of person that keeps a parrot."
Mr Twain- Following the Equator; Pudd'nhead Wilson's New Calendar
bmused at September 20, 2015 2:20 PM
"The problem is most of the voters in Seattle like those regulations."
Yep, and that's because Seattle is balkanizing itself. Just as feminism has made it unfashionable and difficult to be a respectable man, economic leftists make it unfashionable and uncomfortable to be a person engaged in commerce. Dirty little secret: Microsoft and Boeing have few, if any, people or assets in Seattle proper. And whatever ones they do have left will be moved post haste if Grant's proposal passes. So much for those millions of tax dollars that Grant dreams of. Productive people move out to Redmond or Everett, while the "needy" concentrate in Seattle because that's where the easy life is supposed to be. And after a while, they don't understand why their wishes aren't being fulfilled. Must be those evil capitalists!
Cousin Dave at September 21, 2015 7:54 AM
When the businesses move to the suburbs, they'll demand that the state impose the same taxes and regulations on the whole state - and while Seattle itself has far too few votes to impose this on their own, there are much too many other socialists in the state.
markm at September 25, 2015 5:07 PM
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