Last night's Town Hall meeting held by the Healthy Families, Healthy City coalition was well attended by Madison residents including low-wage workers, union members and activists, advocates for the homeless, child care providers, concerned citizens and many others. Though the coalition widely publicized the meeting and specifically asked for feedback from small businesses and the business community in general, only one business owner spoke about the proposal.

Of the 78 people who registered at the meeting, 68 were in favor of paid sick leave for all Madison workers, 9 said it depended upon the details, and 2 registered against the idea. 16 people spoke, sharing their stories, giving feedback, and offering suggestions. Bret Willoughby stood alone as he shared his concerns about the impact of a paid sick leave ordinance on businesses.

The coalition has not yet crafted the specifics of an ordinance. This meeting was intended to get the feedback of those on all sides of the issue so that concerns could be addressed prior to the proposal of an actual ordinance. This was done in response to complaints from the business community about the process used in creating past ordinances such as minimum wage and inclusionary zoning. Business owners made it clear they were not asked to the table soon enough in these instances.

The business community has been vocal in the media on the issue of paid sick leave. Jim Pugh of Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce has spoken out against it on TV and radio. Where was he last night? Where were the businesses his organization represents? The Capital Times stated that the Chamber of Commerce has spoken against the proposal. Where was the Chamber last night? And where were its members?

At least one business owner was apparently busy talking to the reporters at Channel 27. The station reported that an anonymous business owner will move his business out of Madison if a paid sick leave ordinance passes. Much like many of the callers I've heard recently on the A.M. radio shows, this business owner chose to remain nameless and faceless.

Meanwhile, Madison's not-so-nameless and not-so-faceless workers shared their stories of going to work sick or sending ill children to school. One even shared his story of sneezing in people's drinks rather than lose a night of pay at a local tavern.

Will the businesses of Madison become part of the process before the coalition crafts its proposal, or will they wait until the proposal is on the table and then complain about their own lack of input? This is a real opportunity to make the process work for everyone involved.

The writer of this article is involved with the Healthy Families, Healthy City coalition.