House Committee Takes Up Paid Family and Medical Leave Bill Thursday; NFIB Voices Concerns

(KNSI) — The Minnesota House Workforce Committee will take up the Paid Family and Medical Leave bill Thursday.

The bill creates a state run family and medical benefits insurance program and requires employers to grant workers up to 12 weeks of paid family leave and up to 12 additional weeks of paid medical leave in a 52 week period. It would be funded by increased payroll taxes businesses could pass on to their employees. Governor Tim Walz has said he is willing to negotiate on details such as the number of weeks or situations for which the leave would qualify.

The National Federation of Independent Businesses is concerned the payroll tax would sink small businesses and small business owners who are already struggling amid record inflation, worker shortages, and supply chain issues which are eating into their bottom line, making it difficult to keep the doors open. The NFIB adds the state has tens of billions of dollars in surplus money, and they don’t understand why politicians are trying to push a $1.5 billion payroll tax that will make life even harder for Main Street businesses.

The .7% tax would cost the average small business with ten employees around $3,000 a year.

This bill differs from Paid Sick and Safe Time, which would guarantee one hour of paid time for every 30 hours worked, up to 48 hours per year.

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