On March 8, 2017

Strong working families mean a strong Vermont

Dear Editor,

As a state legislator, my first responsibility is to stand up for a Vermont that works for all of us. I’m continually looking at what we can do to strengthen Vermont’s economy for future generations. I’m proud to be a lead sponsor of legislation that would create a family and medical leave insurance program in our state. With tri partisan support and more than 50 co sponsors, this proposal is a perfect example of the meaningful improvements we can make right here in Vermont. A statewide leave insurance program would give all working Vermonters the ability to take time to care for a new child or loved one who is seriously ill, or address their own serious medical conditions. This is an incredible support for working families.

But let me be clear: This proposal is a support for small businesses as much as it is for their employees. As a small business owner, I am acutely aware of the challenges of running a Main Street business. I know many owners who make personal sacrifices to ​ensure that employees and customers are being treated fairly. We do the tough balancing act of giving our customers a quality, affordable product while making sure our employees are being paid well so that they can support their families and other local businesses.

When workers can afford to take leave instead of quitting a job due to the birth of a child or a family health crisis it helps my business to retain a valuable employee. I know that the team at my small café would step up to support a coworker through this kind of life event and would want to be able to welcome her back to the team. Hiring and training new employees presents huge challenges to businesses. To me, this is common sense proposal. A family and medical leave insurance program is simple step Vermont can take for working families and a healthier Vermont economy.

A statewide family insurance fund will make it possible for many small business owners, like me, to help our employees access the wage replacement that we cannot afford on our own. When we create a Vt. leave insurance program, it will give small businesses the competitive edge to be able to attract and retain young professionals to live, work, and raise their families here.

Thanks to research done by the Vermont Commission on Women, we know that this program will cost less than one percent of an employee’s wages. This proposed legislation reduces the burden by splitting that contribution equally between the employer and employee. For such a small investment, the returns will be enormous. Vermont’s children, families and local economies will be healthier.

Whether in Washington, D.C. or Vermont, the test for elected officials should be the same: are we helping businesses support their working families?

Orange-2 Rep. Sarah Copeland Hanzas is from Bradford, Vt.

Do you want to submit feedback to the editor?

Send Us An Email!

Related Posts

Medical debt relief is a direct investment in Vermonters

February 5, 2025
By Vermont Treasurer Mike Pieciak As Vermont’s Treasurer, I am committed to making investments that lower costs, strengthen our economy, and support healthier communities. I believe every Vermonter deserves a fair shot at success, regardless of the situation they are born into. Yet, for too many Vermonters, the cost of health care stands in the…

Tariffs

February 5, 2025
President Trump’s warning of tariffs on neighboring countries, Mexico and Canada, and critical trading partner China got off to a false start on Monday, Feb. 3, with the current administration putting the plan on hold after conversations with Mexico and Canada. A trade war is already brewing with China, who countered with tariffs on U.S.…

Fishers in crisis, action needed

February 5, 2025
Dear Editor, I am a conservation biologist with a specific interest in wildlife. Last April, I wrote and submitted a paper to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife board (FWB) summarizing the results from numerous studies across the U.S. and Canada indicating that anticoagulant rodenticide (AR) threatens fisher populations. Vermont had the highest exposure rate among…

MVSU district explains budget, cuts

February 5, 2025
Dear Editor, Editor’s note: the following letter was addressed specifically to members of the Mountain Views School District. As the vote on the MVSD budget approaches, we wish to further clarify the decisions that were made in the creation of this budget. Through months of meetings with the administration and board members, and consideration of…