Business Leaders Push Back Against D.C. Paid Leave Plan

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Business leaders in the nation's capital are pushing back against a proposal to grant District of Columbia workers with the nation's most generous paid leave benefits.

The D.C. Council has proposed mandating 16 weeks of paid leave for the birth of a child, a medical condition or caring for a sick relative. The benefit would be funded by a new payroll tax.

Jim Dinegar, president of the Greater Washington Board of Trade, says the proposal would force businesses to lay off employees or leave the city. He also says employers outside the District would be less likely to hire District residents because they'd be eligible for leave while Maryland and Virginia residents would not.

Several union leaders testified in favor of the bill during a hearing on Wednesday.

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