Lawmakers in Alaska, Missouri, Nebraska Propose Paid Sick Leave Rollbacks

Voters in Alaska, Missouri, and Nebraska overwhelmingly approved paid sick leave laws in 2023, but lawmakers in each state are now seeking to scale back these measures, citing concerns from business groups about increased costs and operational challenges. Proposed legislative amendments would exempt small businesses, seasonal workers, and certain younger employees from the requirements, with Nebraska's legislation also aiming to strip workers of legal recourse against employer retaliation. Business owners argue the requirements impose unsustainable financial burdens, while workers and activists who supported the ballot measures express frustration at the potential loss of newly granted benefits. The changes reflect a broader trend of state legislatures modifying or delaying voter-backed labor laws, as seen in Michigan, which recently postponed compliance deadlines for small businesses. Federal law does not require paid sick leave, making these state-level efforts particularly significant for lower-wage workers, who are less likely to receive such benefits. The debate highlights the tension between direct democracy through ballot initiatives and legislative adjustments post-approval.