Fri, Dec 8th, 2023 - 3:49pm
February 10, 2023 - 2:48pm | By Tom Tucker
(Fargo, ND) -- Minnesota State Senator Jon Kupec heard from Moorhead area business leaders Friday, who are asking him to oppose paid leave legislation now being considered by lawmakers.
"We're finally seeing some traction, we're finally seeing some things start to turn, and I worry that something like this is going to push everything backwards, and so I hope that the senator will as been mentioned, kill this bill altogether," said Eventide President and CEO Jon Riewer/
Riewer was among business leaders who took part in closed door meeting with Kupec Friday, hosted by the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce. Senate Bill 2 would require Minnesota employers provide employees up to 12 weeks of paid family leave and up to 12 weeks of paid medical leave. Kupec says the bill has already undergone changes and says more "tweaks" are possible.
"Obviously today we were focused on business owners. There is also the other side to this too, of I am also hearing you know from people who are employees and they have a very different take on this," said Kupec.
"I think one of the biggest concerns that so many of us have is creating another government program, at $1.7 billion and over 400 employees for a problem that really isn't there," said Midwest Bank President Steve Daggett.
"When I was out door knocking, people would, and this is not something I lead with when I was out door knocking, I would have people that would bring up paid and family medical leave," said Kupec.
Kupec says he expects SB-2 to be heard on the state senate floor sometime in March.
