As ballot issues go, the Healthy Familes Act seems like a slam dunk. After all, who wouldn't vote to give themselves up to seven paid sick days per year?

The act, if approved, would apply to businesses with more than 25 employees. Those working at least 30 hours a week would get seven paid sick days annually; employees working fewer hours would have the sick days pro rated accordingly.

We wouldn't expect Ohio voters to turn that down anymore than we'd expect them to deny an initiative to give them every Friday off, with pay.

What is surprising is Gov. Ted Strickland, a Democrat, urging voters to reject the issue. The governor had been trying to get union and business interests to reach a compromise on the measure.

Strickland and Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher, the state development director, say the proposal would hurt the state's economy.

According to the proposal, unused sick days could accumulate. A note from a health professional would be required when three or more sick days are used consecutively.

Now, companies with 50 or more employees must comply with the federal Family Medical Leave Act, which requires employers to provide uncompensated time off for personal health conditions and certain family medical situations. Instead of just expanding that act to encompass businesses with 25 or more workers, the Ohio ballot issue would shift the burden of those absenses to business owners - and, indirectly, coworkers.

At a time when Ohio ranks 47th among the 50 states in job creation, should it become the only one to mandate paid sick leave?

On the Net:

www.sickdaysohio.org

www.saveourjobsandbenefits.com