Paid Family Leave Update

When I voted against H.66, an act related to Paid Family Leave, in committee, one of the reasons was the draft legislation includes a "placeholder" seed fund of $20 million. At the time, some estimates have the true cost around $100 million to implement. The bill also expanded the office of Treasurer Mike Pieciak and adds a significant administrative burden they are not prepared for. New estimates now show the program would "require $112 million in startup costs, including the hiring of up to 65 state employees, and cost $117 million to run annually." I continue to believe Paid Family Leave is something we should continue to explore, but it should be an option not a requirement. I support Governor Scott's effort to open the voluntary state employers program to the general public.

Estimated Costs of Paid Family Leave Soar, Leading to Rival Bill (SevenDays, March 15, 2023)

Read the Seven Days article here