Photo: Trey Perry, Creative Commons License 2.0
Earlier this week the respected, independent, non-partisan Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR) released a new cost-benefit analysis of the proposed paid sick leave ordinance for Austin workers. The IWPR found that the ordinance could provide over $4 million in annual net savings to businesses.
The analysis came in response to requests from business groups, and it has motivated council members and local businesses by highlighting the benefits of paid sick days for Austin workers.
The IWPR cost-benefit analysis includes specific, Austin-based data and analysis. Using “back of the napkin” math – as critics have done – is a completely unreliable and inappropriate method for calculating the costs and benefits of a policy impacting hundreds of thousands of Austin workers. IWPR’s scientifically sound approach is the reliable source.
It is disingenuous for certain business groups to demand an Austin-specific analysis and then reject it when the findings do not support their position opposing the proposed policy.
On February 15, the Austin City Council will vote on a strong ordinance to ensure hard-working Austinites don’t have to choose between the health of their loved ones and their jobs. We hope that council members will be guided by reliable data and analysis – not back-of-the-napkin math – as they make this important decision.
CPPP wholeheartedly supports the proposed paid sick days ordinance that would cover all Austin workers.
