The financial analysis underpinning the plan was launched under former mayor Vincent C. Gray (D) and paid for with a grant from the Obama administration. The Labor Department has encouraged local jurisdictions to do what a Republican-led Congress won’t by advancing aggressive new paid-leave policies, calling them important to closing the economic divide between the rich and working class.

The government-funded report by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research was delivered to the city in mid-November, and the president of the organization said she was promised it would be made public a few days later. But it was kept under wraps until now and is being released on the same day as the competing proposals by groups that have urged Bowser to move more slowly.

Bowser spokesman Michael Czin said the administration was busy vetting the IWPR report through the holidays. He also said the administration would propose further study in testimony before the council Thursday.