HB 1959 would remove exemption for small employers when it comes to Washington state's paid-leave program

The state should be rethinking its Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program, which often benefits people who are not in need of taxpayer help at the expense of low-income workers and employers. Instead, Washington state lawmakers are considering expanding payments to the program.

House Bill 1959 has a public hearing scheduled for 8 a.m. on January 17 in the House Labor and Workplace Standards Committee. The bill seeks to take away an exemption lawmakers promised small businesses back in 2017 when the program was created.

Saddling small employers who are trying to survive our state’s busine...