Paid family leave won’t hurt businesses, Klein argues

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The state Assembly passed a paid family leave bill on Feb. 2. The legislation would allow New Yorkers up to 12 weeks of paid leave from work in light of births or family illnesses. For Democrats in the chamber, the vote signaled a long-delayed step in the right direction. 

“It’s not a radical scheme,” said northwest Bronx Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, one of the bill’s co-sponsors in the Assembly. “I think it’s in everybody’s interest for people to be able to take time off, to afford to do that, and come back to work as opposed to a business having to extend resources to train someone new. It seems like a win-win.”

Assembly Dems are proposing to fund the bill through a weekly employee payroll deduction of 45 cents during its first year. An employee utilizing his or her paid family leave will receive two-thirds of their weekly wages, allowing for a maximum benefit of almost $630 per week.

“We passed a bill; I think the ball’s in the Senate’s court,” Mr. Dinowitz said.

The legislation faces a struggle in the Senate. Bronx state Sen. Jeff Klein, who did not respond to an interview request for this story, is spearheading the bill for paid family leave, but Republicans are opposing the proposal on grounds it would place an undue burden on businesses.

“We can explain to the business community that this is not an undue burden on any business in New York State. A very small amount is paid into, in essence, an insurance fund,” Mr. Klein told Time Warner Cable News.

Mr. Klein’s bill includes 12 weeks of leave, like the Assembly version. His legislation differs in that, according to Mr. Klein, it would only deduct 20 cents per week and provide a more ample benefits package once it kicks in. Co-sponsors include fellow members of the Independent Democratic Conference, the group of breakaway Democrats that has held a coalition with Senate Republicans the past several years.

Will Speros, Jeffrey Dinowitz, paid family leave, Jeff Klein, City Council
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