(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont released the following statement regarding the vote in the State Senate tonight on legislation creating a paid family and medical leave program in the state:
“My commitment to enacting paid family and medical leave has never wavered. I know how important it is to hold onto your best employees while they care for their family or themselves. This program will make Connecticut more attractive to young workers and those with families, and it’s the right thing to do. However, at the same time that we are trying to streamline state government to make it more efficient for our residents and businesses, we should not tie the hands of the quasi-public agency that will have to oversee and implement what is essentially a $400 million dollar start-up company. The families waiting for these vital benefits cannot afford another healthcare.gov. We need to make sure this program is solvent, efficiently administered and nimble enough to adapt and adjust as needed, particularly in its first few, crucial years. I don’t believe the legislation, as currently drafted, will allow for that. I hope that once the budget is behind us, the legislature will be willing to continue our productive conversations around how to start up this important program in a way that offers the best user experience at the lowest cost to beneficiaries and taxpayers. I remain committed to bringing paid family and medical leave benefits to Connecticut’s workers.”
The legislation is Senate Bill 1, An Act Concerning Paid family and Medical Leave.