Can someone tell me why Mayor Ethan Strimling thinks it is a great idea to force Portland businesses to provide sick time to seasonal teenage workers?

Almost all 14- to 17-year-old seasonal workers live at home and have no financial responsibilities. So why put this burden on struggling businesses? Don’t forget all those great nonprofits, which can’t raise their prices to fund mandatory paid leave but can only reduce the good work they accomplish.

It’s very sad that the mayor has to paint with such a broad brush. But when you are giving someone else’s money away, it is pretty easy to be generous.

Larry Davis

Hallowell