Paid Family Leave Bill is Good for Colorado’s Small Businesses

For Immediate Release: 
Monday, April 16, 2018

Statement by Hunter Railey, Colorado Outreach Manager for Small Business Majority, on why the Colorado House’s passage of paid family leave legislation today is a step forward for small employers

 

The Colorado House of Representatives delivered for small businesses when it voted today in favor of HB18-1001, the Family Medical Leave Insurance Program (FAMLI), because this measure would level the playing field for businesses that lack the resources to offer paid leave while also boosting their bottom lines.

This legislation would create a state-administered paid family and medical leave insurance program, funded by modest employee contributions, that would provide employees in Colorado with paid leave so they can bond with a new child or care for a sick family member. The FAMLI Act would substantially benefit businesses that struggle to offer this sort of benefit by lowering turnover, boosting productivity and enhancing employee morale. What’s more, the small business community favors it.

Small Business Majority’s scientific opinion polling found 56 percent of small employers nationwide support the creation of state-administered paid family and medical leave insurance programs funded entirely by modest employee contributions. Additionally, 70 percent of small employers want lawmakers to establish a national paid medical and family leave insurance program. In the absence of that type of program, however, a state program here in Colorado would significantly help local small businesses.

Small employers know how important it is to offer options to employees who need to balance their work and family responsibilities, but they need options that also make sense for their business’ bottom lines. The FAMLI Act balances those concerns, which is why we hope the Colorado Senate also adopts this measure.

(Hunter Railey and small business owners who support the FAMLI Act are available for interviews.)

 

About Small Business Majority

Small Business Majority was founded and is run by small business owners to focus on solving the biggest problems facing small businesses today. Since 2005, we have actively engaged small business owners and policymakers in support of public policy solutions, and have delivered information and resources to entrepreneurs that promote small business growth and drive a strong economy. We regularly engage our network of 55,000 small business owners along with a formal strategic partnership program of more than 150 business organizations, enabling us to reach more than 500,000 entrepreneurs. Our extensive scientific polling, focus groups and economic research help us educate and inform policymakers, the media and other stakeholders about key issues impacting small businesses and freelancers, including access to capital, taxes, healthcare, retirement, entrepreneurship and workforce development. Learn more about us on our website and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

 
Press State: 
CO