DC Council Takes Up Free Speech, Paid Sick Leave & Payday Loans

DC City Council has a full day Monday of hearings and votes on free speech, paid sick leave and "payday" loan protections. "The ability to be heard goes hand in hand with the right to speak," says Metro Washington Council President Jos Williams, who will testify Monday at the DC City Council hearing on the Noise Bill introduced by Ward 6 Councilmember Tommy Wells. "We are calling on residents and progressive organizations to testify against this bill and tell Councilmembers not to vote for it," says Williams. The Paid Sick and Safe Days Act would give hundreds of thousands of DC workers a minimum of ten paid days per year, "providing all workers with the ability to take small amounts of time off to deal with critical needs," says Karen Minatelli, DC Employment Justice Center's Director of Policy. The Council is also expected to vote Monday on whether to institute stronger protections for District residents seeking short-term "payday" loans.