Locals react to president’s plan for paid leave

One of the most talked-about issue on social media from President Obama’s State of the Union Address was his proposals for paid maternity leave and mandatory paid sick days.

Saying that the U.S. is the only wealthy country in the world that doesn’t provide paid maternity leave, the president wants to mandate those benefits as part of his plan to help the middle class.

Here in Idaho, a majority of people like idea, but they do have a few reservations. Small-business owners would be the most affected by the proposed change, as most only have a handful of employees. They say they don’t have the resources or manpower to compensate for someone who is out of the office for weeks on end. They also worry about additions to the law that aren’t talked about.

“Who wouldn’t want paid maternity leave?” says Michelle Holt of the Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce “But what are the loopholes? What are the consequences? Just because it sounds good, doesn’t mean its a good thing for business.”

Most small-business owners aren’t too worried yet as the proposal is still just a proposal. It has to make it through Congress first, which could be difficult for Obama to do in his last few years as president.