Saint Paul, Minn. – Today, the House is scheduled to consider a Republican bill backed by corporations and the ultra-wealthy that would delay the launch of an extremely popular Paid Family and Medical Leave law. Republicans have also introduced multiple bills to completely repeal the law, which guarantees Paid Leave benefits for Minnesotans who are bonding with a newborn baby, caring for an aging parent, or recovering from an unexpected illness or injury. By more than a three-to-one margin, Minnesotans support the Paid Leave law passed by Democrats in 2023 that is set to take effect January 1, 2026.
“Minnesota workers and families should have the security of paid leave to care for themselves and their loved ones,” said Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman. “No Minnesotan should have to worry about losing a paycheck to care for a newborn baby, tend to an aging parent, or focus on their recovery during a serious illness or injury. We will continue to stand against any attempts to delay or repeal paid family and medical leave.”
In 2023, every single Republican voted against guaranteeing Paid Leave for hardworking Minnesotans. Republicans’ bill to delay Paid Family and Medical Leave for Minnesotans is backed by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, the state’s foremost lobbying arm for greedy corporations that are ripping off families and raising prices while raking in record profits. Despite Republican rhetoric that a delay is needed, not a single Republican has put forth a plan for what would happen during the delay. The law gave employers nearly three years to prepare and plan for the rollout of Paid Leave, and it provides financial assistance for small businesses with 30 or fewer employees. Democrats argue there is no need for further delay, and say the law will make people’s lives easier and more affordable in red and blue districts alike.
“Minnesotans are desperate for the benefits of paid leave – and planning is on track for the start of the program next year,” said Rep. Dave Pinto (DFL – St. Paul). “By contrast, this bill has been rushed through, with no evidence that a delay is needed, scant attention to cost, and no plan for how additional time would be used. Instead of bringing up yet another bill that won’t become law, Republicans should work with Democrats to make life more affordable for Minnesotans.”
In a January 2024 SurveyUSA poll sponsored by KSTP, Minnesotans were asked “Do you agree or disagree with the legislature's decision to approve paid family leave, paid for by payroll taxes on employers and employees?” Sixty-one percent of Minnesotans agreed and just 20% disagreed. The same poll found strong support for the Paid Leave law in every region of the state, with 64% support in the Twin Cities, 59% in southern Minnesota, 56% in western Minnesota, and 58% in northeast Minnesota.
“At its core, paid family and medical leave is about recognizing and upholding human dignity. Minnesota families have waited long enough; for over a decade, Minnesotans from across the state have shared their stories at the Capitol illustrating the need for Paid Leave," said Rep. Cedrick Frazier (DFL - New Hope). "All Minnesotans deserve the freedom to care for themselves and the people they love, and they should not have to sacrifice food on their plate, health in their body or a roof over their head to have it. Unlike Republicans, we refuse to abandon Minnesota's working families at this critical time as Trump's reckless tariffs and trade war impact our state budget. I’m proud to vote down this repeal bill to ensure the launch of Minnesota Paid Leave Law proceeds as planned – because Minnesotans are counting on us, and we will not let them down.”
Today marks the 33rd day that Republicans have controlled the State House. During that time, they have brought forward zero bills for votes on the House floor that would make Minnesotans' lives easier or more affordable. Instead, Republicans have focused on divisive political stunts and only voted on bills that seek to distract Minnesotans from their agenda to give sweeping tax cuts to greedy corporations and the ultra-wealthy.
“Republicans continue to focus their time on divisive political stunts and today we see yet another example. Instead of working to lower costs for Minnesotans, they’ve pushed bills that would take us backward on gun violence prevention, enable bullying of kids, and relitigate COVID-19 debates,” said House DFL Floor Leader Jamie Long. “Meanwhile, not only is Paid Family & Medical Leave ready to go after years of public input and planning, but Minnesotans can’t wait any longer.”
More details and answers to frequently asked questions about Minnesota’s Paid Leave law can be found here.