Paid family leave supporters look to 2016

Supporters of paid family leave in New York say they hope 2016 will be their year, but business groups are urging caution. A measure to allow all workers in the state 12 weeks of paid leave to take care of a new baby or sick family member was approved in the New York State Assembly, and two measures gained support in the New York State Senate, but the issue fell by the wayside in the end of session rush to pass bills and adjourn for the summer. The Senate sponsor of a two-house bill, Sen. Joseph Addabbo of Queens, says he thinks it’s not a question of if the measure will pass, but when. “This is going to happen,” Addabbo said. “There’s such momentum going on.” He says it’s become a “national movement” with President Barack Obama discussing it, and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) pressing for federal paid family leave. Addabbo’s bill on the state level, which is sponsored by Cathy Nolan in the Assembly, draws on the state’s temporary disability insurance program to pay for the program.