New Mexico Small Businesses Support State-Run Paid Family and Medical Leave Program
Statement from Awesta Sarkash, Small Business Majority Public Policy Director, urging the full Senate to pass Senate Bill 3 quickly
“We are glad that Senate Bill 3 has advanced through the committee hearing process. This important proposal will enact a state-administered paid family and medical leave program in New Mexico.
New Mexican small business owners call on the state legislature to pass the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act (PFMLA). An overwhelming majority (85%) support a state-run paid family and medical leave insurance program that would make it easier for their businesses and their employees to access uniform paid leave benefits.
Currently, too many of New Mexico’s small businesses and their employees have had to make difficult decisions between caring for a loved one, losing wages, or closing their business indefinitely. Passing the PFMLA will give smaller firms the resources they need to support an employee as they take time away from work to care for family or their own medical needs.
Furthermore, the PFMLA will help small businesses compete for quality talent with larger companies that can afford to offer robust paid leave programs on their own. In fact, 61% of New Mexican small business owners strongly agree that a PFML insurance program would better level the playing field with larger companies.
We urge the full Senate and House to quickly pass this bill, bolstering the small business community and efforts to help smaller firms compete.”
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About Small Business Majority
Small Business Majority is a national small business organization that empowers America's diverse entrepreneurs to build a thriving and equitable economy. We engage our network of more than 85,000 small businesses and 1,500 business and community organizations to advocate for public policy solutions and deliver resources to entrepreneurs that promote equitable small business growth. Our deep connections with the small business community along with our scientific research enable us to educate the public about key issues impacting America’s entrepreneurs, with a special focus on advancing the smallest businesses and those facing systemic inequalities. Learn more about us on our website and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.