HARTFORD, CT (UPDATED 2:35 p.m.) – Senate Democrats are once again hoping to expand the state’s paid sick leave program to cover more workers during the upcoming legislative session.
Sen. Julie Kushner, D-Danbury, who was joined by Senate President Martin Looney, Rep. Manny Sanchez, D-New Britain, and other advocates and employers, held a news conference Friday morning to discuss expanding the program to include companies with one or more employees.
Right now, Connecticut’s 13-year-old paid sick leave law applies only to private-sector employers with more than 50 employees, mostly in “service worker” occupations – about 12% of Connecticut’s entire private-sector workforce.
The current plan allows workers to set up a payroll deduction to accrue up to 40 hours of paid sick time out of their own pay, with an hour being accrued every 30 hours on the job.
Looney, who referenced Connecticut’s previous status as a leader in the realm of worker’s rights, said that the state has fallen behind as of late. He said that the bill to expand the program is “humane, pro-worker policy,” and that it is a “point of pride” for the Connecticut.
“For low- and moderate-income people, the loss of even a couple of day’s pay is a real hardship; it could mean the difference between having the rent that month or not,” Looney said in a statement released Friday. “Connecticut’s pro-employee policies are also bringing more young workers into the state, and keeping them here, for the quality of life they can experience.”
Kushner, who chairs the Labor and Public Employees Committee, said she was hopeful that the legislation would be passed during the coming session that starts Feb. 7, but that they are still working on the language. The plan, she said, takes after neighboring states with paid sick leave plans that have surpassed Connecticut’s.
Senate Republican Leader Kevin Kelly and Sen. Rob Sampson, R-Wolcott, said in a statement Friday afternoon that the new plan will have a “chilling effect” on the state’s economy, and that the Democrats are out of touch.
“This tone-deaf proposal will have a chilling effect on economic growth and crush jobs,” their statement said. “The majority Democrats believe they know best, and they are more than willing to damage the freedom of private sector parties to be able to negotiate these terms themselves.”
Rep. Steve Weir, R-Hebron, said in a statement Friday afternoon he was concerned that the mandate would disrupt the finances and operation of small businesses throughout the state.
Kushner said in a followup phone interview Friday afternoon that Connecticut currently has one of the fastest-growing economies in the country. Paid sick leave, she said, is supported by Democrats’ constituents and the communities they serve.
“It’s about leveling the playing field,” Kushner said.
During the news conference, she cited the current paid sick leave laws in New York and New Jersey, where state lawmakers have passed legislation that requires employers to allow workers to accrue up to 56 and 40 hours respectively.
The proposal follows an effort to expand the program during the 2023 session that died on the House floor. Kushner said for that proposal, the House “ran out of time.” With more time, she said, the bill would have gone through.
The senators were joined by advocates and employees, who showed their support for the new plan.
Janée Woods Weber, Executive Director of She Leads Justice, which heads the Connecticut Campaign for Paid Family Leave, said that no matter the size of the employer, all workers deserve the time and ability to care for themselves and their family.
