Senate Independent Democratic Conference Leader Jeffrey Klein, who in recent years
pushed for a paid family leave program, said of the budget that «this is truly the year of the worker.»
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo was in Rockland County today, rallying
support for paid family leave, a proposal he unveiled in his combined State of the State / budget address.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaks during a
rally for paid family leave in New York, Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2016.
The letter, signed by Senators Andrea Stewart - Cousins, Liz Krueger, City Council Speaker Melissa Mark - Viverito and Assemblywomen Addie Russell and Nily Rozic, among others, noted that New York's Democratic majority in the Assembly has passed
proposals for paid family leave programs multiple times.
At 6:30 p.m., Assemblywomen Kimberly Jean - Pierre and Michaelle Solages hold town hall in to receive testimony from dozens of community members on the
need for paid family leave.
To his great credit, Cuomo worked closely with unions in
advocating for paid family leave, saying it was a good policy for employers and employees alike.
«Whether it be raising the minimum wage, getting veterans access to medical cannabis or
fighting for paid family leave Senator Savino's record of seeking a progressive future can not be disputed.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo promotes his
plan for paid family leave plan at a rally Monday, March 7, 2016, in Hauppauge.
Governor Andrew Cuomo, who initially said there was «no appetite» in the
legislature for paid family leave, has warmed up to the issue, and said, through a spokeswoman earlier this year, that he would sign an «acceptable version» that «that reconciles the obligations of family and work.»
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo pushed
Monday for paid family leave legislation and an increase in the minimum wage to $ 15 an hour at a rally with labor leaders and elected Democrats in Hauppauge.
Kearns noted he voted with fellow Democrats in the
Assembly for paid family leave and hiking the minimum wage, but parts company with the party over abortion.
At home, the WFP has claimed
credit for paid family leave legislation and a $ 15 minimum wage when Cuomo initially expressed skepticism either could pass in the Republican - led Senate, suggesting there was no «appetite» for the leave bill and the $ 15 wage was a moon shot.
There are also questions around whether Cuomo will include a proposal and dedicated
funding for paid family leave, something that de Blasio recently moved on for some city employees and called on the state to pass for all workers.
Still, at the uptown rally, Cuomo continued to tie his
appeal for paid family leave into his broader efforts to assist workers by raising the state's minimum wage to $ 15 per hour.
Earlier this year, as he was delivering his annual state and budgetary address, the governor invoked the final moments he spent with his father to make an impassioned
plea for paid family leave.
In further indication of the growing hunger in New York and across the
nation for paid family leave, the State Assembly again passed the Paid Family Leave Act on Tuesday in Albany.
Well, you know to be perfectly honest with you if we don't have somebody who wants to go to Congress and be a true
champion for paid family leave then we might as well send John Katko back to Congress.
There are more and more
options for paid family leave plans in New York state, but do any of them have enough support to pass?
Hochul added there needs to be a larger shift in the culture of how women are treated by men and pointed to the administration's efforts on issues ranging from pay equity to passing a
law for paid family leave.
Katko has proposed a business - friendly Republican
alternative for paid family leave — one that allows families to participate in a flex - savings plan, but does not require employers to provide matching funds.
All three Democratic candidates support expanding laws that
provide for paid family leave, including Gillibrand's FAMILY Act.
It's unclear how Cuomo's proposal would work, but the 2015 Assembly
bill for paid family leave was to be funded through employers» existing temporary disability insurance systems.
A spokesman for Governor Cuomo, Rich Azzopardi, says even with the state's present political divisions, New York still has some policies that are more progressive than California's,
including for paid family leave.
A coalition of doctors and medical groups sent a letter to Cuomo and the state Senate this morning,
pushing for paid family leave benefits for most New Yorkers.
In the Senate, Republicans are concerned with the minimum wage increase's impact on businesses, while Assembly Democrats have their own
proposal for paid family leave that has an alternative funding method of expanding the temporary disability insurance fund.
Cuomo has made a series of speeches on the minimum wage issue and the
need for paid family leave, but he does not mention anti-corruption measures in his talks.
Starting Jan. 1 workers in New York State will be
eligible for Paid Family Leave, providing them an opportunity to take time off to care for a sick family member or bond with a new baby without losing pay.
Advocates for paid family leave in New York say they hope 2016 is the year that the state finally provides a program to allow workers to take time off to care for a child, or a sick elderly relative.
In making his
pitch for Paid Family Leave and a $ 15 - an - hour minimum wage on Long Island today, Cuomo said voter anger in the presidential primaries comes from frustrated middle class voters who are dealing with stagnant wages and rising property taxes.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who initially said there was «no appetite» in the
legislature for paid family leave, has warmed up to the issue, and said, through a spokeswoman earlier this year that he would sign an «acceptable version» that «that reconciles the obligations of family and work.»
In Buffalo on Wednesday
rallying for paid family leave, Cuomo referenced the wage campaign as well, underscoring how both issues are interconnected.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo rallied in Rockland County
Monday for paid family leave and, in his opening remarks, he mentioned an unrelated topic.
«It's appropriate we're here on Groundhog Day, since we've been coming back year after
year for paid family leave,» said Donna Dolan, head of the New York State Paid Family Leave Coalition, at a press
Assembly Democrats back the minimum wage hike, but they have a slightly different
plan for paid family leave.