Thanks to the Mayor & Council for addressing this issue. The ordinance is a great start. I do have some concerns in how it is currently written. I worry about the equity in the distinction of mother/father (with the father only getting the two weeks of " paid parental leave" and a birth mother receiving 10 weeks of "paid childbirth leave"). I want to be clear- the 10 week "paid childbirth leave" is appropriate and vitally important. I do have concerns about the equity around limiting fathers (and by extension adoptive/foster parents) to only two weeks leave. A two week paid leave is very limiting, especially in households were there are two fathers or a single father. Would they only get two weeks? Even in the case of welcoming a new born? Also, in "heteronormative" households, the burden of care would still be on the mother. As the father of two sons, I know paid leave is vital (having had it with one and not the other). We must create equal opportunity paid leave for ALL Parents.

Please see attached pdf for Opposing View