Paid Family and Medical Leave
I got into this race because I put morality first. If we stand up for our highest ideals, we can create a better Minnesota with:
A stable funding stream for our public schools, including free pre-K and post-high school;
The nation's first universal healthcare system;
Innovative industries to grow our economy while protecting the environment, and
Programs to support young people purchasing a home, and elders retiring with dignity.
Policy Spotlight: Paid Family and Medical Leave
One program that I am proud to support is Paid Family and Medical Leave which began on January 1, 2026. This is an extraordinary program which provides Minnesotans up to 20 weeks per year of paid leave to care for their new child, an unexpected illness or injury, and to support family members who are ill. It also protects employees from losing their jobs when they take family and medical leave. This program will make our population healthier and happier, and improve our economy in immeasurable ways.
In America, 25% of new mothers have to return to work within 2 weeks of having a baby. Many of these babies grow up lacking a sense of connection to their mother, and have trouble making emotional connections with people in their adolescent and adult lives. Children who do not grow up with this opportunity to bond with their parents have a harder time being productive members of our economy and society, and often have more difficult lives. (Source: The Myth of Normal, Gabor Maté, MD)
I have been the Finance Director for a small nonprofit for the last 3 years, and I would like to explain why Paid Family and Medical Leave is well worth the tax required to support it:
In 2025 my company had 9 employees with an average base pay for our employees of $60,000 / year.
Last year, my nonprofit would have paid $3,564 total to the Paid Family and Medical Leave program, a tax of just over one half of one percent.
In exchange for this modest tax, if any of our employees got injured, sick, or had a baby, they would be eligible for up to 20 weeks of leave paid by the state of Minnesota, not by my organization, creating incredible value for my company.
Paid Family and Medical Leave makes both economic and moral sense. There's nothing more important than supporting the hardworking people in our community. I believe strongly in people over profit.
Learn more at https://pl.mn.gov/.
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Sunday April 12 from 1:30-3:00, Volunteer Orientation event, Wyoming Public Library. RSVP here
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Thank you, and I hope to see you soon.