Paid family leave

When Vermonters become ill or otherwise unable to work, their main concerns should be their own wellbeing and that of their family. Unfortunately, that is not the reality for 65% of Vermonters without access to paid family and medical leave, sick leave, or bonding time. A disproportionate amount of the Vermonters without access to paid leave are low-wage, BIPOC, and parents. We need to set things straight – those with the most need have the least access to paid leave and that is unacceptable. Instead of resting and being able to show up fully to care for their loved ones, Vermonters are burdened with real-life concerns of losing their job, missing out on critical parent-child bonding time or going into immense debt.

Now what?

It’s time for change. That’s why we need to pass H.66 - Paid Family and Medical Leave which would guarantee all working Vermonters up to 12 weeks of leave every 12 months, including military safe time, safe leave for people experiencing intimate partner violence, and bereavement leave. This would be offered without gender distinction, and would be available to all workers – temporary, seasonal, part time, and self employed.

What if employers already have Paid Leave programs in place?

The H.66 bill creates the minimum standard for employer protection – nothing prevents employers from offering more comprehensive protections or benefits to their employees. Employers are able to opt out so long as they independently provide benefits equal to or better than than those included in H.66. 

How would we pay for it?

Paid family and medical leave insurance would be funded by a 0.58% payroll tax, exempting participants who make less than $25k. Employers are responsible for half of the contribution and employees are responsible for the other half.

The bottom line

Workers are a critical part of the Vermont economy. Everyone deserves to afford to care for themself and their family in a time of crisis without fear of losing their job. At some point, everyone on earth experiences health crises, family tragedy, or a sudden need to step in as a caretaker that leaves them unable to work. It’s time that Vermont steps up to the plate and offers a robust Paid Family and Medical Leave program like that outlined in H.66. 

Public caucus

On Tuesday, we are holding our public caucus with H.66 lead sponsor Rep. Emilie Kornheiser; Michelle Fay, Executive Director of Voices for Vermont’s Children; and Roxane Vought, Executive Director of Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility. We will be discussing the need for a robust Paid Family and Medical Leave Program, the barriers to passing H.66, and what this legislation would mean for Vermont. Tune in at the Legislative Caucus Youtube Channel on Tuesday at noon, or join us in room 270 of the Pavilion on the State House campus.

Progs in the Press

VTDigger: Creating Subsidies at a Time of Low Unemployment

Vermont Employment Growth Incentive (VEGI) is an economic incentive for business recruitment, growth, and expansion to create jobs in Vermont. Some have questioned about whether, with a 2.6% unemployment rate, this should be funded further. Rep. Emma Mulvaney-Stanak raised concern about spending tax dollars on incentivizing growth for companies not based in Vermont. 

VTDigger: Vermont House advances abortion and gender-affirming care ‘shield law’ in preliminary vote

Rep. Taylor Small’s Shield Law bill passed the House by voice vote. She gave a speech highlighting the protections for gender-affirming care in the bill, referring to other state legislatures that have ‘“passed unprincipled laws restricting parents’ ability to care for their children, and putting transgender people in harm's way . . . ‘We must not let these national efforts to restrict access to legally protected health care succeed,’ Small said. ‘As Vermonters, we know that personal reproductive autonomy is central to the liberty and dignity of every individual and must not be denied or infringed upon.’”

Saint Albans Messenger: Renewable Energy Bill a Small Price to Pay for Climate Change

The climate crisis becomes increasingly real each day that we fail to take meaningful action. Lt. Governor Zuckerman’s op-ed in the Saint Albans Messenger highlights the need for energy independence and large-scale electrification in support of recently proposed updates to the Renewable Energy Standard.

VTDigger: Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously backs Judge Jennifer Barrett’s confirmation

Judge Jennifer Barrett faced opposition in her nomination to the Vermont Superior Court. This opposition expressed concern about a perceived aggressive prosecution style and her defense of her husband(a former state trooper) who was fired for a pattern of improper searches. Following the deliberation of testimony opposing Barret’s confirmation, Rep. Tanya Vyhovsky commented,  “I think it is actually a good thing that we fully fleshed out and had a real conversation. And we should do that in the future. Because it is a serious position that can do immense harm,”. Vyhovsky had received many comments from constituents “about impartiality and an alignment with a system that, in my opinion, should be moving towards reparation and restoration rather than retribution.”

“That said, most of my concern has been answered and what remains is somewhat nebulous and so I will vote yes,” Vyhovsky said. “But I hope that there is an openness to growing with the system and continuing to challenge places that are simply not right.”