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Republicans in the Minnesota House postponed a vote Monday on a bill to delay the launch of Minnesota’s paid family and medical leave program by one year.

The deferred vote came after Democrats accused the GOP of trying to retreat on a worker benefit approved two years ago. The program takes effect on Jan. 1. 

The bill to put off the implementation was brought up in the House but then quickly set aside for now. Passage would have required at least 68 votes, which Republican backers did not have.

The Department of Employment and Economic Development insists it will be prepared next year to provide the partial wage replacement when workers take time off to care for a new baby, recover from injury or illness or help a loved one who is ill.

Despite that, Republicans said they were concerned about the programs going forward with potential hiccups.

“This one-size-fits-all government program is not ready to launch,” said Rep. Dave Baker, R-Willmar. “If we don’t do something today, we’ll take action today, hard working Minnesotans and small business owners will pay a tremendous price.”

The bill or another proposal to tinker with the program could still emerge this session, although Democrats said they would set a high bar to reopen a signature accomplishment of their 2023 policy surge.

Minnesota workers and employers will pay into the program through a 0.88 percent payroll tax that will be split with each paying half. Workers can take 12 weeks of paid family leave and 12 weeks of paid medical leave, with a cap of 20 weeks in a given year for people who tap into both offerings.

Democrats said that Minnesotans have been waiting on these benefits for years and have begun making family planning decisions with the 2026 date in mind. Ahead of the short-circuited debate, they criticized the Republican effort to delay the start date.

“Small businesses across Minnesota have made it clear they need a statewide paid leave system to attract and retain talent. Paid leave isn’t just about workers. It's about keeping small businesses competitive,” Rep. Cedrick Frazier, DFL-New Hope, said. “Paid family and medical leave is necessary and it’s needed now.”

Republicans have also introduced proposals to scrap the program altogether and return the funding allocated to it to the state’s general fund. 

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The proposal would have postponed implementation by one year. The paid family and medical leave program is set to take effect in 2026. A planned vote was the only thing postponed.

Drive to delay paid family and medical leave program stalls in Minnesota House for now

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