Family Medical Leave

Today, Public Policy Director Awesta Sarkash, testified in favor of SB 11, which would establish a state-run paid family and medical leave program in New Mexico. The testimony was before the New Mexico House Commerce and Economic Development Committee. 

Ahead of a Senate floor vote, Public Policy Director Awesta Sarkash submitted a letter to New Mexico's state senate urging them to swiftly pass SB 11, the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act, which would establish a state-run paid family leave program. 

Ahead of a hearing in the New Mexico Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee, Awesta Sarkash, Public Policy Director, submitted a letter of support for SB 11, the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act. The bill would create a state-run paid family and medical leave fund that employers and their employees can take advantage of during critical health-related moments. 

Today, Government Affairs Coordinator Quintin Reed, testified before the House Commerce and Energy Subcommittee #4 in support of HB 2035, which would create a paid family and medical program in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of accessing paid family and medical leave. Now more than ever, there is a need for a modernized and robust benefits infrastructure, which would greatly benefit small business owners and their employees.

On October 17, Small Business Majority and Good Business Colorado submitted comments to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment on proposed rules for private plans in the Paid Family Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program. The FAMLI program is an essential program for Colorado, which will provide employees of small businesses with access to paid family leave, and help small firms compete with larger companies.

On August 29, small businesses and business organizations signed their names to a letter urging Governor Newsom to make worker-funded Paid Family Leave (PFL) and State Disability Insurance (SDI) more accessible to California’s low-wage workers. The letter outlines how California’s PFL program can level the playing field for California small business owners who want to provide quality jobs for their workers.

On August 5, Small Business Majority's Colorado Director Lindsey Vigoda submitted recommendations to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE), concerning the proposed benefits rules of the Paid Family Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program. FAMLI will give small businesses a competitive advantage over large corporations, but only when CDLE considers the challenges and circumstances surrounding the small business ecosystem.

Today, John Arensmeyer testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship at a hearing, "The Small Business Workforce Challenge: Causes, Impacts, and Solutions." More than two years into the pandemic, small businesses are slowly rebuilding but need a vibrant stable workforce to fully recover. Entrepreneurs, especially those in under-resourced communities, need an array of support to address labor shortages and ensure employees are able to come back to the workforce. Mr.