New Mexico’s Democrat-led House rejects proposal for paid family and medical leave

SANTA FE, N.M. — New Mexico’s Democratic-led House of Representatives on Wednesday narrowly rejected a bill that would guarantee paid time off for workers to deal with serious illnesses or care for newborns and loved ones, amid concerns about corporate opposition in an election year.

The proposal failed on a 34-36 vote in a final vote that would have sent the bill to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, whose 2019 executive order established paid family leave of up to 12 weeks for state employees. Thirteen states and Washington DC currently guarantee paid leave.

New Mexico already requires employers to provide paid sick leave to employees under a 2021 law. Employees accrue one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, which amounts to about 8 days of leave per year.

The failed paid leave proposal would have ultimately given workers 12 weeks of medical and family leave — which would be expanded to parents of adopted, foster and stepchildren. The bill also included guarantees of paid leave for workers who are victims of stalking, domestic violence, sexual assault and abuse while pursuing a protective order, providing counseling or fleeing their home.

“My chamber is against it, the Albuquerque chamber is against it,” said Republican state Rep. Alan Martinez of Bernalillo, who voted no. “How do I go back to my district and tell the people, I know better. … Let alone Companies do what companies are good at.”

On the House floor, bill sponsor and Democratic state Rep. Christine Chandler of Los Alamos presented the initiative as a net benefit for companies hoping to retain loyal employees and cultivate a stable workforce. She highlighted an exemption from contributions to the program for organizations with fewer than five employees, and touted the intangible benefits of family leave.

“I think we all know the social costs that we have to pay in some way if we don’t have those strong ties,” she said.

Republicans, along with eleven Democrats, voted unanimously against the bill.

On Wednesday, lawmakers separately sent a bill to the governor to discourage voter intimidation. The proposal would ban the open carry of firearms at voting locations and near polls, with exceptions for people licensed to carry a concealed handgun.

The restrictions would take effect ahead of New Mexico’s June 4 primary, banning guns within 100 feet of the entrance to a voting location. Guns are already banned in public schools that serve as voting locations.

A dozen states, including Florida, Georgia, Arizona and Georgia, are banning guns at voting locations as lawmakers in several other states grapple with concerns about voting access, gun violence and public safety in a polarized political climate.

On Wednesday evening, lawmakers raced against the clock to complete their work before the end of a 30-day legislative session on Thursday afternoon.

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