Governor Walz, Lieutenant Governor Flanagan Discuss the Importance of Their Paid Family and Medical Leave Proposal for all Minnesota Workers

Press Release

Today, Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan joined community and business leaders at a small business in Saint Paul to discuss the importance of their paid family and medical leave proposal for all Minnesota workers. The Walz-Flanagan Budget to Move Minnesota Forward -- the Governor and Lieutenant Governor's supplemental budget recommendation for the current legislative session -- creates a Paid Family and Medical Leave program to support workers and businesses and ensure more equitable economic opportunities for Minnesota children and families. Their roundtable discussion today follows recent meetings that the Governor and Lieutenant Governor held to hear from Minnesotans about the need for paid family and medical leave.

"With a historic surplus, we have an opportunity to lower costs for Minnesotans, invest in the middle class, and lend a hand to those who haven't recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic," said Governor Walz. "That's why our budget invests in a comprehensive, statewide paid family and medical leave program to create a strong foundation necessary for the health and well-being of Minnesota families. Minnesota's economy is strong, and we have the means to get this done for all Minnesota workers."

"Today we heard it loud and clear: Taking time off to bond with a new baby, recover from illness, or care for a loved one who is sick is not optional," said Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. "At a time when our economy is strong and our businesses need a reliable workforce, this is a bold, responsible step we can take to support workers and families and to ensure no one has to choose between their health or family and their financial security. Taking care of each other is just how we do things in Minnesota."

Today's roundtable attendees included: Erin Bailey, Director of Minnesota's Children's Cabinet; Anders Ulland, owner of Cahoots Coffee Bar; Samantha Sencer-Mura, Executive Director of 826 MSP; Dayna Kennedy, advocate with ISAIAH; Corinne Freedman Ellis, Minister in Saint Paul; and Dr. Anjali Goel, pediatrician.

"I've been fortunate enough to own Cahoots Coffee Bar for the last two out of our 26 years of operation," said Anders Ulland. "Over the years, many people have met and discussed important issues in this shop, and Cahoots is honored to be a part of the discussion to bring more security to families in their most challenging times."

"When I was diagnosed with cancer, I was in and out of the hospital for months. And with no paid family and medical leave, my husband couldn't afford to take even one day off work to care for me and our 5-year-old daughter. Our family was in crisis," said Dayna Kennedy. "Minnesota families across race, gender, and geography are going through situations like mine -- and much worse -- because they can't take time off to care for their loved ones. Minnesota families deserve paid family and medical leave that is comprehensive and accessible to all -- regardless of one's employer. Minnesota can do this."

"The science tells us that the first 5 years of a child's life are the most critical period of brain development. Brains are built from the ground up. It is indisputable that early experiences, and specifically early relationships affect the quality of the architecture of the developing brain by establishing either a sturdy or fragile foundation," said Dr. Anjali Goel. "Paid family leave eliminates the choice so many families have to make between optimizing their child's development and economic security."

"Our current system for family leave leaves everyone falling short -- our small businesses and organizations who desperately want to support and nurture their employees but can't afford to, and our employees who are forced to make decisions between work and family that no one should have to make," said Samantha Sencer-Mura. "We need a comprehensive system that understands that families come in many different forms, that being able to care for family is an essential need, and that employers want to support families during critical moments but need support to do so."

"No matter our race, religion, zip code, or income, every single Minnesotan should be able to experience the abundance that comes from an economy that should honor their full humanity. I believe every person deserves the dignity of paid family and medical leave. We shouldn't have to rely on the generosity and flexibility of our employers to be able to both work and care for our families," said Corrine Freedman Ellis.

An outline of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor's Paid Family and Medical Leave proposal is below.

Invest in Paid Family and Medical Leave
Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan propose a Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance program to ensure Minnesotans do not have to make the unfair choice between a paycheck and taking time off work to care for a new baby or a family member with a serious illness. The creation of this program is necessary to support businesses, ensure more equitable economic opportunities for Minnesotans, retain more women in the labor force, and positively impact the lives of children. The Walz-Flanagan budget also supports working families with Earned Sick and Safe Time. The proposal would ensure workers can accrue up to 48 hours per year for when they need to recover from an illness, go to a medical appointment, care for a child during a school closure, or get care and assistance due to domestic abuse, stalking, or sexual assault.

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