Statement by Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. on Progress of Paid Family Leave Policy in New York State

Howard Beach, NY (March 14 2016) Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr., the sponsor of legislation(S.3004/A.3870) to create a comprehensive paid family leave policy in New York State, made the following statement following the passage of the State Senate’s 2016-17 one-house budget resolution:
 
“Although I found the overall one-house Senate budget proposal passed on March 14th  lacking in some vital respects, I know it is the starting point for intense negotiations with the Assembly and Governor on a final spending plan. There are many good elements in this one-house plan, including the inclusion of a paid family leave program, which I most certainly welcome.    
 
“I am very encouraged and appreciative that both the Senate and Assembly budget resolutions reflect a strong commitment to enacting a comprehensive and long-overdue paid family leave policy this year. The momentum continues to grow.
 
“Over the next three weeks, as the Senate and Assembly work to negotiate the remaining details of a final 2016-2017 State Budget by the April 1st deadline, I will continue to advocate for a truly meaningful paid leave program to enable New York families to take time off from work to bond with a new child, care for a seriously ill loved one, or address the complications confronted by military families during times of deployment. 
 
“The Governor has said he wants a paid family leave program enacted this year. The Republican-controlled Senate has included a version in its one-house budget, and the proposal included in the Assembly one-house spending plan mirrors the legislation that I and Assemblymember Cathy Nolan have advocated for a number of years. 
 
“If we can come together in the Senate and Assembly,  join across political party lines, work out the final details and adopt a real paid family leave program in this budget, New York State will have taken a giant step in helping its families balance their pressing responsibilities on the work front with their equally important obligations on the home front. I look forward to seeing this goal become a reality.”