Dear Senator Mann and Representative Richardson,
We write to express our support for HF2/SF2, a proposal to create a paid family and medical leave program.
As local elected officials, we recognize the value that our workforce brings to our communities every day. Whether it's plowing the road so residents can get to work, maintaining a community’s water and sanitation system, or performing the day-to-day administrative work that keeps our governments functioning, our workers are performing the essential services that residents rely on every day.
Like all employers, cities and counties are facing workforce challenges. We believe the best way to recruit and retain a strong, skilled and committed workforce is to invest in them through benefit programs like paid family and medical leave. We know that having access to paid leave helps employees stay in the workforce while managing critical events in their lives. By providing a statewide benefit that is available to all Minnesotans, we are ensuring that workers aren’t being forced to drop out of the workforce because of the need to care for themselves or a family member.
We also believe that access to paid family and medical leave is a basic issue of dignity for all workers. Our residents shouldn't have to choose between bonding with a new child and paying their bills, or worrying about how they are going to take care of a sick family member. Lack of access to paid family and medical leave imposes costs on workers and businesses everyday who have to scramble and make hard choices during the most stressful and important events in their lives. A statewide program will ensure that financial supports are there when they are most needed.
Thank you for bringing forward this important piece of legislation.
Signed,
___________
How It Works
The Minnesotans for Paid Family & Medical Leave Coalition supports a state-administered paid leave insurance program, where everyone contributes and everyone benefits. Paid Family & Medical Leave is for events lasting longer than 7 days, such as bonding with a new baby, recovering from a serious injury or caring for a loved ones facing their final weeks.
The Paid Family & Medical Leave Act will:
Provide up to 12 weeks of partial wage replacement for medical leave (including pregnancy), so Minnesotans can take care of themselves.
Provide up to 12 weeks of partial wage replacement for family leave, so Minnesotans can take care of their families.
Provide a progressive wage replacement at 55-90% (average of 66%) of an employee’s salary, while protecting job and healthcare benefits.
Keep costs low for all by creating a large statewide risk pool and equally share costs between employers and employees, with both contributing 35 cents per $100 of employee earnings (0.35%). For a worker earning $1000 a week this would mean $3.50.
Build on Minnesota’s leading Unemployment Insurance administration under the Department of Employment and Economic Development, to ensure program stability for employees, employers, and the state.
If you have questions reach out to Alexa Horwart at ISAIAH: ahorwart@isaiahmn.org
