Family Leave Advocates Strike Back

Uh (4.00 / 3)

the twins were born ten weeks early.  It is only because we spent the last part of December last year with no income (and two very healthy, but small, babies) that my wife did not have to return to work before they came home.

We need paid family leave.  Now.

To hell with what she wants, let's make Rosi Efthim the next DSC chair.

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by: Thurman Hart @ Tue Dec 11, 2007 at 10:06:26 AM CST

Same Ol Same Ol? It Ain't Necessarily So (4.00 / 2)

This bill is litmus test.

There truly is no good/rational reason to vote against it.

There are two possible (not good/irrational) reasons to deny passage.

One: The legislator sincerely believes in their heart of hearts that the case that the business lobby made is right.  That is an ideological choice and, like it or not, we have to respect such a person for voting their conscience.  (Though, again, it's conflicts with what we see as good/rational ;-)

Two: The business interests that "contribute" (i.e. PAY) to the campaigns and to the economic fortunes of the legislators (in a myriad of ways, some very indirect and mostly LEGAL!!!) have more raw/political power than the interests of the workers/people of New Jersey so they will do the calculus and vote the interests of commercial sector (i.e PLAY).

Until and unless we get 100% public financing of campaigns we will always have to fight/struggle to get decent legislation passed.

I've just spent a very positive few minutes with a nice lady who works for Joan Voss (who, evidently is still wavering on this).  I am very hopeful that Voss's vote will come down in support of the bill.  (Even if a few tweaks have to be made ;-)

So, let's all keep calling in to let the lawmakers know what we think and how strongly we feel on this one.

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by: Nick Lento @ Tue Dec 11, 2007 at 12:05:13 PM CST

In reality... (4.00 / 6)

I don't see why we can't pass this. As a business person, I can tell you that my employees are after every bit of overtime, bonus, extra compensation they can get. I bet you the reality of the situation is a very small percentage will actually take advantage of this program because they cannot bear the financial consequences of making a fraction of regular pay. That goes doubly so for the weathlier workers, I think the bill maxes out at $500 per week which I imagine is a fraction of most salaries in NJ.
As sad as it sounds, only people who are desperate will take advantage of this because the poor are too poor to take the hit, and the $500 cap probably represents a significant lifestyle change for wealthier workers.
Yes, it's a pain the butt for employers, but I bet it's usage will be so limited businesses won't notice.

"Where ever you go, there you are." - Buckaroo Bonzai

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by: William Weber (WjcW) @ Tue Dec 11, 2007 at 12:34:27 PM CST

Anti-Family Business Community (4.00 / 1)

The Business Community has decided to take an Anti-Family stance by opposing this Bill and that is just plain Anti-American.

This Bill will strengthen the Family Unit and the Family Unit is what has made this State and Country great.

Business is trying to make you believe that this will be a huge imposition . The Bill will not hurt Business. The bottom line is that business just does not like the idea of you, the employee, taking care of a family member instead of coming into work.

That is an Anti-Family viewpoint and every Business person and every Legislator who is against this Bill is helping to bring down the Family Unit.

Make you choice Pro-Family or Anti-Family, there is no middle ground on this one.

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by: firstamend07 @ Tue Dec 11, 2007 at 16:14:44 PM CST

Family Values?Christian Right? (0.00 / 0)

Where are all the Conservative Family Values groups ? Can it be that when the choice is between real Family Values,which this Bill represents, and the Greenback they have chosen the side of Greed?

Is not supporting and strengtening the Family Unit the mantra of the Christian Right?

Should we wait for their help?

Where is Steve Lonegan when you need him?

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by: firstamend07 @ Tue Dec 11, 2007 at 16:33:27 PM CST

Sweeney statement (sent at 4:50) (0.00 / 0)

"The issue of paid family leave is very much alive. I'm willing to continue discussions with the Senate President and the Speaker to come to an agreement on getting it passed. I've expressed a willingness to compromise. But let me be clear, an exemption for small businesses is not one of the options (for compromise)."

I have to think of a witty signature about Frank LoBiondo

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by: Hopeful @ Tue Dec 11, 2007 at 18:08:05 PM CST

Small Business employees have families too (4.00 / 3)

Do small business owners realize that their employees also have families?

The anti-family business community just has to realize that the world does not revolve around their bottom line.

Family is more important and a business owner should adapt to a family crisis situation.

We will not go into a Depression because of this Bill.

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by: firstamend07 @ Tue Dec 11, 2007 at 21:07:16 PM CST

[ Parent ]

compromise (3.00 / 1)

Why does Sweeney have to compromise with fellow Democrats over this bill?  Which of the 22 Democratic State Senators and 49 Democratic State Assemblypeople are dragging their feet on this bill?

Why haven't we heard anything from the 'working man's Republican', Bill Baroni on this issue?

What is the point of having a Democratic majority in the State Senate and State Assembly if some, if not most, of these Democrats are in the back pockets of the NJBIA?

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by: rachael'sdad @ Tue Dec 11, 2007 at 22:40:53 PM CST

[ Parent ]

compromise redux (0.00 / 0)

A woman who gives birth is generally entitled to 6-8 weeks of disability.  Would the 5-6 weeks of paid family leave be in addition to that?

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by: rachael'sdad @ Tue Dec 11, 2007 at 22:43:34 PM CST

Disability (0.00 / 0)

Usually, you first have to use up all your sick leave before you can go on disability.  If you do that, go on leave, come back, and get sick again, you wouldn't have any sick leave to take time off and could be fired if you did.  It happened to someone I know.  So we need the family leave act to prevent women from being left at risk in their jobs due to giving birth.

-pb

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by: princetonblue @ Tue Dec 11, 2007 at 22:55:05 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I don't doubt that, but... (0.00 / 0)

...this didn't answer my question.

If this legislation is passed, would a woman who has given birth be entitled to both diasability and paid family leave or only one or the other.

The current family leave legislation entitles a woman to a total of 12 weeks of unpaid leave, 6-8 of which can be partially paid through disability.

I would hope that at the very least, this new legislation would cover the additional 4-6 weeks that disability does not cover.

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by: rachael'sdad @ Tue Dec 11, 2007 at 23:06:30 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I'm Wondering If the AFL-CIO Is Rethinking Some Of Their Endorsements. n/t (4.00 / 1)

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by: Creed Pogue @ Wed Dec 12, 2007 at 07:11:12 AM CST

And these are Democrats?! (4.00 / 1)

We have a Democratic governor and legislature and we still can't get this passed? This is what we elected them to do!

According to the polls, over 75% of New
Jerseyans favor this legislation. The editorials are all in favor. The unions are in favor. The business lobby is presenting bogus arguments. What more do we have to do?

I guess it is just all about the money.

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by: MargaretinNJ @ Wed Dec 12, 2007 at 09:11:13 AM CST

Did You $ay Democrat$? (0.00 / 0)

Quoting myself  from my comment above (it bears repeating)

The business interests that "contribute" (i.e. PAY) to the campaigns and to the economic fortunes of the legislators (in a myriad of ways, some very indirect and mostly LEGAL!!!) have more raw/political power than the interests of the workers/people of New Jersey so they will do the calculus and vote the interests of commercial sector (i.e PLAY).

Until and unless we get 100% public financing of campaigns we will always have to fight/struggle to get decent legislation passed.

We, rank and file Democrats/progressives,  have t face up to the sad sorry fact that just because we've elected a Democratic majority in the legislature and a Democratric Governor it does not mean that they are going to pass laws that are in accordance with basic fundamental Democratic principles.

Until we get real/comprehensive campaign finance reform (ideally 100% public financing) even our democratic elected representatives will continue to be bought off/beholden to the people/interests that gave them the MONEY to run with.

Further, so long as the interlocking network of sweetheart deals, revolving doors and cronyism is in place and it's all LEGAL, it's no wonder that government costs far more than it should.  They're allowed to steal!  And it's all "business as ususal".

Until we find saints to run for office who will do what is good and right and honest just because it's good and right and honest; we need to implement laws that generously reward honesty and severely punish dishonesty with the full force of the state.

Nothing will ever really change unless there is a radical increase in the numbers of activist and informed citizens.

The kind of power that dominates NJ politics concedes nothing without struggle. 

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by: Nick Lento @ Wed Dec 12, 2007 at 11:28:08 AM CST

[ Parent ]