State Senator Marc Panepinto, a Buffalo Democrat, urged his Republican colleagues to get behind a proposal that would fund paid family leave in New York State through a modest payroll deduction of less than a dollar per week.
Panepinto joined local labor leaders, business owners, and other advocates Friday in downtown Buffalo to push for passage in Albany of a proposed Paid Family Leave Insurance Act. If passed, it would allow workers up to 12 weeks of paid leave, at two-thirds the individual's regular wage.
It would be funded through payroll deductions, beginning at 45 cents per week and gradually rising to 88 cents per week.
"How could any business be against spending 45 cents a week to give mothers and fathers time off with their children or with sick loved ones?" Panepinto asked.
Supporters offer reasons for paid family leave including improved early childhood development. The weeks during which baby can bond with mother - and father - are crucial, according to Dr. Constantina Spiropoulos, a local pediatrician who spoke at the rally.
"This affects the entire family," Dr. Spiropoulos said. "I'm very pleased about it being both mom and dad. Fathers are so important. I don't want to forget them. I always encourage parents to work as partners."
Sharing her personal story at the rally was Sally Heron, a single mother whose baby was born at just under 29 weeks, weighing only two pounds and two ounces. The baby is doing well and was resting comfortably at the rally. Heron spoke of her struggle to make ends meet while out caring for her baby.
"I work in maternal health. I'm a social worker. I had no paid leave, besides the six weeks at $170 dollars before taxes, that you get," Heron said.
Panepinto called that unacceptable and looked to the GOP members of the State Senate: Rob Ortt, Patrick Gallivan and Michael Ranzenhofer,
"Those are good men who I think need to be talked to," Panepinto said. "I think we can convince them to be part of this bill, because it's not a non-funded mandate. It's a necessity for working families."
