“With women as primary or co-breadwinner in two-thirds of families, a shrinking middle class and wages not keeping up with inflation, we need policies that enable families to care for and provide for their loved ones. Â All families, whatever their makeup, need relief during moments like welcoming a new child or caring for an aging parent.
State Sen. Janis Ringhand (D-Evansville) and Rep. Sondy Pope (D-Mt. Horeb) sponsored Senate Bill 385 and Assembly Bill 516, to create a state-regulated wage replacement program for those needing family and medical leave — with no direct cost to business.  Employees pool small contributions into a fund that enables those who need leave to draw a significant portion of their wages during that time. Such a social insurance fund already exists in California, New Jersey and Rhode Island, and will soon be in place in New York.”
Read Astar’s full op-ed here