ST. PAUL, Minn. – Without a vote to spare, the Minnesota Senate approved paid leave for employees when they’re sick or caring for sick relatives. The vote was 34-33 along party lines. The House already has approved a companion bill. Both bills now go to a joint Senate-House committee to resolve wrinkles between them. Both bills would require employers to pay as much as 12 weeks of partial wages for medical leave, including for pregnancy, and for taking care of sick family members. Replacement wages would range from 55% to 90%. The benefits would be funded by a 0.7% payroll tax on employers. Employers could withhold half their cost from paychecks – a 50-50 deal. Companies already with more generous benefits could opt out.
Earlier: How they voted: Paid family leave /1
Earlier: House: Yes to 18 weeks paid family leave
Verbatim
Senator Alice Mann, a Democrat from Edina, chief sponsor of the bill, said every industrial nation already has a similar program: “The paycheck deduction would be the equivalent of a cup of coffee a week for the average Minnesotan.” Only 24% of Minnesota’s workforce now has access to paid leave, most of them among the state’s highest earners – not the lowest.
Verbatim
Senator Julia Coleman, a Republican from Waconia: “This will crush our small businesses, make goods and services more expensive for every single Minnesotan.”
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Christine Fenner, president of the Waconia Chamber of Commerce: “Employers want to offer good benefits so they can be competitive in the tight labor market, but the new tax would compound costs of doing business that are already growing.”