Advocates, Democratic lawmakers urge Minnesota not to delay 2023 paid family and medical leave law

Minnesota advocates and Democratic lawmakers gathered to press state legislators not to delay or repeal the paid family and medical leave law enacted in 2023, saying Minnesotans cannot afford further postponement of benefits intended to let workers care for themselves and family members without losing jobs or income.

The coalition of speakers — including Melissa Hortman, Cedric Frazier, unions and small-business owners — said the program reflects long-standing public demand and warned that Republican proposals under consideration would effectively strip families of protections. "Every other industrialized nation in the world has figured out how to offer family and medical leave," said Melissa Hortman, Speaker Emeritus in the House. "Minnesotans have waited long enough. There's no reason to delay paid family medical leave."

The message echoed across multiple speakers. Representative Cedric Frazier (District 43A) said "paid family and medical leave is about recognizing and upholding human dignity," arguing the policy prevents people from being forced to choose between a job and caring for a newborn, a dying parent or…