True Small Business Owners SupportUniversal Paid Family Medical Leave Program
A universal paid family medical leave is good for business
Programs that center the health and well-being of Minnesotans and their families like Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML) are critical to the success of our state – to the success of our people, our workforce and our economy. Nearly everyone at some point in their lives will need to take time away from work to heal or care for a loved one.
Main Street Alliance, a grassroots organization of true small business owners, self-employed folks, sole proprietors, and entrepreneurs applaud the prioritization of a universal paid family medical leave program in the House and Senate this legislative session.
"Main Street Alliance includes members with an average of 20 employees, home based businesses, sole proprietors, and solo-preneurs. These are folks who must choose between work and family, or work and health, or step away from their business when they start a family. A universal paid family medical leave program will provide entrepreneurs, their employees, and our communities at large an affordable and accessible safety net to recover, give care, or start a family. This critical public investment will bring us a step closer to achieving economic justice and creating a small business economy that works for all," says Mel Koe, Minnesota Organizer.
If passed, the universal PFML program would provide up to 12 weeks of medical leave (including pregnancy) and 12 weeks of family leave so Minnesotans can take care of themselves and their families. Employers and employees would chip in to a state paid family medical leave insurance program which would keep costs low and predictable. This would ultimately address existing racial, gender, and class disparities for true small business owners and working families that are exacerbated by the lack of access to paid family medical leave today.
During the 2023 Minnesota legislative session, Main Street Alliance will continue its longstanding advocacy to ensure that all Minnesotans are able to access quality, affordable benefits like PFML. We look forward to working with our elected leaders and other partners in making this a reality for all Minnesotans.
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