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Post-presidential debate poll shows a shift in WI; Teamsters won't endorse in presidential race after releasing internal polling showing most members support Trump; IL energy jobs growth is strong but lacks female workers; Pregnant, Black Coloradans twice as likely to die than the overall population.

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The Teamsters choose not to endorse a presidential candidate, county officials in Texas fight back against state moves to limit voter registration efforts, and the FBI investigate suspicious packages sent to elections offices in at least 17 states.

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A USDA report shows a widening gap in rural versus urban health, a North Carolina county remains divided over a LGBTQ library display, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz' policies are spotlighted after his elevation to the Democratic presidential ticket.

Family Leave Reform Could Pay Off for New Yorkers

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Wednesday, February 13, 2008   

Washington, D.C. - Family leave doesn't have to leave families without income while they handle such things as childbirth and family medical emergencies.

The U.S. Senate is looking at updating the Family and Medical Leave Act, to give Americans eight weeks of partially-paid leave for such matters. That would supplement New York State's moderate family leave compensation, according to Valerie Young with the National Association of Mothers' Centers.

Young says the current Leave Act is inadequate.

"It offers 12 weeks of leave and a guaranteed return to your prior job, but it does not provide for paid leave. And it also is only applicable to employers who have 50 or more employees. So, it doesn't even apply to about half of the private sector worker population."

Young says even those who qualify for federal leave often do not apply, because they cannot afford to miss their paychecks. The Senate Subcommittee on Children and Families is hearing testimony on the proposal today.

New Yorkers with family issues can apply for leave under the state disability insurance program, which provides $250 per week for support during illnesses or childbirth. Young says the proposed federal revisions would be good for New York workers, but, she adds, there is opposition from employers and the Bush administration.

"If this bill is passed, they can look forward to a greater percentage of their income being paid for a greater number of weeks. But it's going to be an uphill climb; the Department of Labor issued suggestions for actually scaling back the key terms, because it's gotten a lot of hostility from the business community."

Last week the Labor Department proposed increased paperwork requirements that critics say would ultimately limit employee eligibility.

Leave legislation in 128 other industrialized nations provides an average of 16 weeks of paid leave.

Senate Subcommittee hearings info is at
help.senate.gov/hearings/2008_02_13/html.



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