Neighbor News
New Mexico small businesses need paid family and medical leave
Legislators must pass a bill next session so that entrepreneurs and their employees can access this crucial benefit
It’s deeply disappointing that a state-run paid family and medical leave bill failed to pass this session despite strong support from the small business community. Small Business Majority’s research found that 85% of New Mexico small business owners support the creation of a state-administered program that would offer 12 weeks of paid leave to their employees.
Small businesses want to offer strong employee benefits like paid family leave but usually cannot afford to do so on their own. The result is small firms often struggle to compete for talent with larger firms that offer robust benefits. If New Mexico truly wants to help small businesses succeed, our elected officials must offer small businesses and their employees access to benefits programs that level the playing field.
Awesta Sarkash is Small Business Majority's Public Policy Director.