LINCOLN - The National Federation of Independent Business is pointing the finger at paid leave approved by Nebraska voters last November.

Voters approved up to five days sick leave for companies with fewer than 20 employees, but Nebraska lawmakers are proposing bills this session would make temporary and seasonal agricultural workers ineligible for paid sick leave. Lawmakers are also targeting a provision that would allow workers to sue if the paid sick leave law is violated.

NFIB says its recent small business optimism index fell 2.1 points in February, but remains above the 51-year average.

NFIB State Director Ryan McIntosh said a rise in the uncertainty index is a result of burdensome mandates and workforce shortages and said the unpaid leave mandate exacerbates the challenges.

NFIB recently hosted a Small Business Day at the Capitol, where McIntosh said paid leave puts pressure on Main Street. He urges lawmakers to pass paid sick leave reforms.

The survey says businesses reporting that labor costs are the single most important problem for them rose three points to 12 percent, only one point below the survey’s highest reading of 13 percent in December of 2021.