Overwhelming Local Support for New DC Paid Leave Proposal

Isbella Diaz
WMAL.com

WASHINGTON — (WMAL) A majority of Washingtonians support a paid, family leave proposal that is currently before the D.C. Council. The only hiccup: They also don’t want to pay for it.

The bill before the council would mandate D.C. employers to contribute to a citywide fund that would cover 16-weeks of paid leave for their employees.

Leave would be granted to those employees that need to take time off to care for a newborn or sick family member.

A Washington Post poll found 82 percent of those surveyed supported a universal benefit. The poll also found, however, that only 45 percent would support the bill if a new worker tax was instated to fund the bill.

The debate on the bill will begin Wednesday.