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Dayton Proposes 6 Weeks Paid Parental Leave For State Workers

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Gov. Mark Dayton announced a new push Tuesday to offer paid leave to new parents among the state's 35,000-member workforce, a proposal his Democratic allies have deemed a first step toward their goal of extending sick and parental leave to all Minnesota workers.

Dayton is asking the Legislature to dip into a budget surplus this year to fund the new benefit, estimated to cost about $6 million annually. It would mean mothers and fathers with new children who work for the state would qualify for six weeks of paid leave rather than exhaust vacation days or forego paychecks. The benefit would apply to parents of biological or adopted children.

More generous leave policies are a rallying cause among Democrats, but the proposal faces an uncertain path in Minnesota's Republican-controlled House, where a broader measure gained little steam last year. Dayton said he had not yet discussed the possibility with House leadership, and a top House Republican expressed concern that the governor's plan would "widen the gap" between public and private-sector workers.

Even as they stood behind the governor's more modest proposal, top Democrats in the House and Senate said they still hoped to require employers across the state to provide both paid sick and parental leave.

"It builds on what we want to do at the state Legislature for the entire state," said Sen. Katie Sieben, DFL-Newport. "We have more work to do here in Minnesota."

Dayton defended the incremental approach, noting that just three states currently offer paid family leave to public employees — California, New Jersey and Rhode Island, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

"I think this is a very big step forward," he said.

The state expects about 500 employees would use the six-week allowance each year, adding up to a $6 million price tag. While Republican Rep. Sarah Anderson said she's open to expanding parental leave opportunities, she put a greater emphasis on private-sector employees.

"I am concerned that this plan puts government first, and not the people it serves," she said in a statement.

Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk said he'd continue pushing for a wider, statewide leave requirement to allow all workers to take time off to care for new babies or ailing relatives. He plans to meet with top business advocacy groups in the coming weeks.

(© Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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