Chamber board opposes paid time off bill; Cline files for commissioner a fourth time

Chamber of Commerce oppose paid time off bill

Washington County Chamber of Commerce said in a recent news release that it opposes House Bill 8 — Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program — filed for consideration during this year's Maryland General Assembly.

The bill, also known as the Time to Care Act of 2022, would provide benefits to "individuals who take leave from employment for certain purposes; establishing the Family and Medical Leave Insurance Fund." It would require employees, employers and self-employed individuals to contribute to the fund, beginning Jan. 1, 2023.

Lawmakers are in Annapolis for the session that ends April 11. The bill, which is cross-filed in the Senate as Senate Bill 275, is scheduled for a hearing in the House Economic Matters committee on Feb. 1.

"We believe employers need to care for their employees," the chamber board said in the release. "The way HB 8 is currently written, however, will negatively impact businesses and nonprofits."

Cline files for county commissioner for a fourth time

Jeff Cline, president of the Washington County Board of Commissioners, filed to run once more on the five-member board.

Cline has held his seat as president since 2018, and has been a member since 2010. This will be his fourth time running.

Joyce Shull, adult basic education teacher at Maryland Department of Labor, also added her name into the mix as a candidate for the Washington County Democratic Central Committee.

The Democratic Central Committee is an eight-member committee that is elected every four years, but currently has five members.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Washington County chamber blasts House Bill 8; Commissioner runs again