paid family leave

While some Democrats in the Legislature want to expand the law and many Republicans want to repeal it, there are bipartisan talks about tweaks that would make it more palatable to the business community.

A slew of bills aim to repeal or overhaul the 2023 law. They come before any benefits have been paid, but just a few months after payroll taxes kicked in to fund the program.

Proposed legislation would lower penalties for employers that don't comply with the law, and create a flat reimbursement rate for all workers.

Starting Jan. 1, Maine will implement a 1% payroll tax, split in half between employers and workers. Those contributions will build up a reserve fund where benefits will eventually be paid out starting in May 2026.

When it takes effect a little less than two years from now, workers will be able to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave a year, to care for a sick family member or bond with a newborn, an adopted child or a foster child.

Gov. Janet Mills has signed a budget bill that makes substantial additional investments in housing programs, child care and a new paid family and medical leave program.

Democratic Gov. Janet Mills will likely be forced to choose between allowing a paid family leave bill to become law or risk a statewide referendum on the issue next year, financed by progressive megadonors.

The proposal would allow employees to take up to 12 weeks of leave after the birth of a baby, to care for an adopted or foster child, or if they or a loved on has a serious health condition. Victims of sexual assault or domestic violence could also take leave.

There were a few hot topics that the governor did not mention despite her potentially pivotal role in the policy outcomes.

In this week's Pulse: the debate on paid family leave, Mills to address the state next week, Penobscots ‘open for business’ as Biden emphasizes American-made, and aballot battle update.