Paid Family Leave in Oregon - Now or, uh, Later. You Decide!

CA did it five years ago.  WA did it a few months ago.  Oregon might just be #3!

Exactly What is Proposed for Oregon?: Rep. Diane Rosenbaum (D-Portland) introduced a bill into the Oregon House of Representatives (HB 2575-A) this session that would establish a state-level insurance account to provide paid family leave for workers to care for newborn/adopted children, sick children, or other family members with serious health conditions.  Workers covered by and eligible for the Oregon Family Leave Act (which applies to work places of 25+ persons) would be paid a set amount (e.g., $250/week) for up to six weeks in a year.  Smaller workplaces could elect to participate.  The bill is based on the CA and WA models.

So Who Pays For The Benefits?  Employee withholdings. Employers would withhold $0.01/hour worked from employees' post-tax earnings to fund the insurance account that ultimately pays out benefits.  So if you work 40 hours/week, you'd pay in $0.40/week or $20/year from your post-tax earnings to pay future benefits.

But What About the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)? This national legislation was passed in 1993.  As anyone with kids knows, it allows up to 12 weeks leave over a year period to care for a newborn or other sick family member  - but is unpaid.   It is what many parents use to support their maternity/paternity leaves.  The proposed paid family leave bill builds on this current national policy by adding some pay and extending it to caring for sick children without a serious health condition.

If you support this bill and are itchin' to get active, read on.  If you're not the active type (yet!)but are interested in learning more, there are many web resources on the topic, ranging from those in favor (National Partnership for Women & Families, 9 to 5) to those against (NFIB).

What Can You (Easily) Do NOW to Help Pass This Bill?  Make calls and e-mail!  HB 2575-A is currently in the Joint Ways & Means Committee and must be voted out and onto the floor of both the House and Senate before it can become a law (remember school house rock? I'm just a bill...). If you would like to see this bill move, you can call key members of that committee and let them know that you support the bill. You can also call or e-mail your own representative/senator, but at this stage, a call to committee members (even if they're not in your district!) is likely more effective.  The session ends next week, so now is the time to act if you are feeling active.  Here are some names and numbers of Joint Ways & Means Committee Members:

• Rep.Carolyn Tomei      (Sub-Committee Chair), 503-986-1441 or rep.carolyntomei@state.or.us     
• Sen. Betsy Johnson      (Sub-Committee Chair), 503-986-1716 or sen.betsyjohnson@state.or.us     
• Sen. Kurt Schrader (Full      Committee Chair), 503-986-1720 or sen.kurtschrader@state.or.us     
• Rep. Mary Nolan (Full      Committee Chair), 503-986-1436 or rep.marynolan@state.or.us

And if you happen to be free Wednesday morning June 20th... head on down to Salem! Children First for Oregon is organizing a rally to support the bill.  Here's the scoop: They will unveil the famous MomsRising ONEsie display (maybe you provided one?) at the Capitol in Salem from 8 AM to 1PM. You are welcome for all or part of that time - bring your kids, wear your MomsRising t-shirt if you have one, and show your elected officials that there is strong support for this bill!   If you are going, send a quick note to ashley@momsrising.org so she can send you all of the info.  Get directions to the Capitol here.

Comments

[olivia]

MomsRising sent me a recent email about HB2575:

*To quickly contact your State legislators again today using our easy, 1-click tool, just go to: http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizationsORG/momsrising/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=12028

YOUR VOICE MATTERS—MAKE 2 PHONE CALLS: You also really got noticed this week because you began calling your legislators. Call again today (no matter what time of day or night) to leave your state legislator a message, and let them know you'll be watching what they do this weekend!

*Need their phone numbers? Well, we have a great link for you! You can find the contact number for your State Representative and Senator by clicking here: http://www.leg.state.or.us/findlegsltr/home.htm Simply enter your address and zip code and a list of your legislators will pop up--scroll down the short list to find the contact information for your state legislators in Salem.

WHAT TO SAY WHEN YOU CALL: The message to leave for your legislators is: "Please vote YES on HB 2575, Family Leave Insurance. Please listen to your constituents who overwhelmingly support this bill, not corporate lobbyists. This is a top priority for Oregon families and must be passed this session. The mothers and voters of Oregon are counting on you! Vote YES on HB 2575, Family Leave Insurance."