Paid family and medical leave is a key way to combat the affordability crisis for working families, by ensuring people can take the time they need to care for themselves and their loved ones without having to forego pay or risk their jobs. State leaders across the country are increasingly taking note of how these critical protections can serve as a lifeline for families’ economic security. Now, Pennsylvania has an opportunity to join the 15 other states who have guaranteed these rights, as the state sets the stage to pass the most bipartisan paid family and medical leave legislation in the country.
Senate Bill 906, which would create a statewide paid leave program, decisively passed out of the Senate Labor and Industry Committee with a 9-2 vote. The legislation is championed by sponsors from both parties, exemplifying what we have seen time and time again in polls: these pro-family protections are popular and common-sense among voters and lawmakers from across the political spectrum. SB 906 now heads to the House, which has indicated clear support for paid family and medical leave in the past, even passing its own version of a paid leave bill. We urge Governor Shapiro to help move this policy forward to improve affordability for all Pennsylvanians, so that Pennsylvania can serve as an example of bipartisan support for families and businesses.
Too many families face financial precarity when they welcome a new child, or when their breadwinners need to take time off work to care for a sick loved one or their own medical needs. Paid leave is a concrete way to make life more affordable for families when it matters most, and to keep talented workers attached to their jobs as they navigate life’s important moments.
As we head into midterms, candidates across party lines should look to states like Pennsylvania and prioritize paid leave as an essential part of any bipartisan pro-family platform.