MN Republicans, Democrats Offer Competing Paid Leave Plans

ST. PAUL, MN — Minnesota Republicans Sen. Julia Coleman and Rep. Jordan Rasmusson Monday introduced a bill that incentives businesses in the state to provide paid family and medical leave.

The plan competes with the state Democrats' proposal, which would require employers to provide workers with at least one hour of health-related paid time off for every 30 hours worked.

This is the first year that both parties have introduced paid leave plans. In previous years, Republicans moved to block all paid leave proposals from the Democrats.

Republicans criticized the Democrats' latest plan for creating more government bureaucracy and being one-size-fits-all.

Under the GOP-backed bill, businesses with fewer than 50 employees would receive a tax credit of up to $3,000 per employee enrolled in paid leave.

Small businesses employ nearly half of all working Minnesotans, and many of them struggle to finance a paid leave benefit for their employees, Republicans said. The tax credit aims to help more businesses offer paid leave to more Minnesotans.

"Businesses want to offer their employees more, and families need more help. Our proposal meets both needs," Coleman said in a statement.

"It will expand the availability of paid leave across Minnesota, particularly for those who work for small businesses. Businesses can provide a competitive benefit that suits their work force, and families will have more options to care for their loved ones in a time of need."

Democrats criticized the Republican plan for not actually requiring paid medical leave.

"We have serious challenges in our economy for workers — for working families all across the state," said Sen. Susan Kent, of Woodbury, who authored the Democrats' proposal.

"And the Republicans keep coming forward with these little symbolic gestures that do not solve the problem."

Reporting from the Associated Press was used in this story.