The Associated Press just wrote a story about family leave legislation in the House of Representatives, with the story first popping up on the wire over at the San Francisco Chronicle.
Here’s an excerpt from the piece by Olympia AP Bureau Chief Rachel LaCorte:
The bill, sponsored by Democratic Rep. Tami Green of Lakewood, would expand the weekly benefit from a flat rate to a percentage of the employee’s wages, up to $1,000 per week. The measure also would expand the time allowed from five weeks to 12 weeks. California and New Jersey have similar laws.
Green called family leave “a practical solution.”
“It will promote strong families and a secure middle class,” she told the committee, noting that it could mean fewer families would be forced to go on public assistance.
“In the long term it will save us money,” she said.
Click here to read the whole story.
There’s also a great website about this issue over at the Washington Work and Family Coalition, where they tell stories about real people and dive into the problem without getting all wonky.
Here’s a photo of Selena Allen and her son, Connor, and a link to their family’s story.
