Lawmakers are tossing around the idea at the State Capitol, after President Trump threw his support behind a paid sick leave or family leave program as part of a stimulus package to offset economic effects of coronavirus. Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman says one option is “economic assistance to folks who really should stay home, but don’t have a paycheck if they choose to make that responsible decision to stay home.”
Senate Republican Majority Leader Paul Gazelka responds most employers provide sick pay, and it could be covered under that. He says, “Is this different, is what we need to talk about, if they’re quarantined for two weeks. And so that’s why the issue is being raised.”
Expect more debate at the Minnesota Legislature in coming weeks.