Proponents, Opponents Debate Family Leave Program

In a five to four vote, the Committee on Jobs, Agriculture and Rural Development advanced a bill that would create a paid family leave insurance program for Minnesota employees. The committee eliminated the medical leave portion of the bill, while deliberating for two days and hearing passionate testimony from both proponents and opponents.

Proponents noted that the legislation would increase workforce attachment and aid small businesses in providing relief when workers need time off. Opponents of the bill argued that the measure needs more actuarial analysis and is too broad a policy to benefit all of Minnesota’s workers.