Democrats at the legislature propose today that the state set up a paid family-and-medical-leave program for all Minnesota workers, using contributions from the state, employers and employees. Sponsor, Eagan Representative Laurie Halverson says, “There are folks who really struggle, trying to maintain their employment while dealing with a major illness, while dealing with the birth or adoption of a new child, or caring for an elderly or sick relative.”
House Republican Minority Leader Kurt Daudt says Democrats are taking the wrong approach, “mandating that companies give benefits and deduct payments from paychecks for benefits that employees are already receiving.” Daudt says it’s better to give employers incentives to do something, rather than punish them for not doing it.