This week, the Prince George's County Council will return to work during the Council's legislative session. During this session, the Council has the opportunity to take up Paid Sick Leave legislation co-proposed by Councilmembers Deni Taveras, Karen Toles, and Mary Lehman that will allow people who work in Prince George's County to earn up to 7 days of paid sick leave.

Progressive Maryland members in Prince George's County are asking county residents to call Council Chair Mel Franklin's office on Tuesday to ask that he and the council take up Paid Sick Leave legislation when the Council convenes on September 9th. Progressive Maryland Acting Executive Director Larry Stafford had this to say" Because of his role as the chair of the County Council, Councilmember Franklin has the power to set the agenda for the County Council's legislative session. Because of this authority, his decisions on the agenda impact a constituency of people throughout Prince George's County. We want to make sure that he hears from Prince Georgians regarding the importance of moving forward with Paid Sick Leave legislation when the Council convenes on September 9th."

The call comes as today the Obama administration announced its plans to require that all federal contractors offer paid sick leave to their employees. This year in the Presidents state of the union address, President Obama issued a call to congress to pass paid sick days legislation. However, as a result of partisan gridlock in Congress, the Obama administration has called to state and local governments as well as employers to institute their own paid sick leave policies.

At the local level, Progressive Maryland and a host of other organizations lead a successful effort in Montgomery County to pass paid sick leave legislation. Progressive Prince George's member Jordan Baucum Colbert argues "we need to pass paid sick leave legislation that offers the same benefits that employees in Montgomery County have. Prince Georgians shouldn't have to cross county lines to work in Montgomery County in order to be able to take time off when they're sick without risking their livelihood."

The County Council will begin its fall legislative session on Wednesday, September 9th. At the start of the session, the Council is expected to reveal the items that will be scheduled for its fall agenda.