🚪 A crucial legislative paid-leave push is about to begin.
◉ The liberal Maine Women's Lobby, which is part of a coalition pushing for a paid family and medical leave program, said in a Monday email to supporters that it expects the main bill on the subject to be printed this week.
◉ This bill is expected to reflect the proposal from a legislative commission that has formed a basis for discussion so far. It would put Maine among 11 states to create this new type of insurance program, which would be funded by a new tax on wages at a cost that is likely to exceed $400 million per year.
◉ The stakes are high on this issue. For one, the coalition pressing for paid leave has said it will go to the ballot in 2024 if lawmakers do not address paid leave. Key Republicans have largely opposed the push to date, while business groups and progressives expect Mills to try to negotiate a consensus deal.
◉ There isn't much time for the Legislature to deal with it. By the Maine Women's Lobby's count, only 20 percent of bills have left legislative committees ahead of the scheduld adjournment date of June 22. |
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