This evening the Health & Human Services Committee for the city of Portland voted unanimously in favor of the much debated Paid Sick Leave ordinance. Following several hours of fine turning the ordinance, the Committee chaired by city councilor Belinda Ray, quickly gave it the necessary okay before it goes to the city council for its up or down vote. The other two members of the Committee are: Councilor Brian Batson and Councilor Pious Ali.

“We have concerns with the ordinance and significant concerns that the state legislation and working on the same topic. If we end up with different ordinances Portland businesses would follow the Portland ordinance and the rest of Maine abides by state law,” said Quincy Hentzel, CEO of the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce following the meeting.

At the start of the next item on the Committee agenda on the proposed shelter, Jeff Levine told the three member Committee that the staff has put in many hours on the subject, but “we need to refocus our energy on other issues.”