Family Medical Leave

On April 10, Small Business Majority's Vice President, Policy & Advocacy David Chase submitted letters to policymakers and elected officials in support of establishing a state-run paid family and medical leave program for Mainers. Such a program would allow small businesses to access and offer this benefit for their employees, helping them overcome obstacles in attracting and retaining a ready workforce.

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. 

Small Business Majority has created a comprehensive state policy agenda to ensure entrepreneurship is recognized as the lifeforce of a thriving and inclusive economy in California. The state’s 4.2 million small businesses comprise 99.9% of all businesses in the state, and they employ 7 million residents–nearly half of all California employees.

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.

Small Business Majority has created a comprehensive state policy agenda to ensure entrepreneurship is at the center of a thriving and inclusive economy in New Mexico. It’s critical that state lawmakers enact short- and long-term policies to support and empower entrepreneurs by guaranteeing their access to capital, an infrastructure that can support their ability to offer quality jobs, and their ability to compete fairly now and in the future. To achieve these goals, policymakers should consider the following policy proposals. 

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.