MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — Republican Gov. Phil Scott on Friday vetoed a bill that would have guaranteed workers as many as 12 weeks of paid family leave, saying he opposed the $29 million payroll tax to fund the mandatory program.
Scott said he would progress with his voluntary paid family and medical leave program.
“I share the goal to provide a program that allows workers time to take care of family and personal health needs, and to bond with new children,” he said in a written statement. “That’s why my administration has advocated for, and acted on, a voluntary paid family and medical leave plan.”
Proponents had said the bill was needed to help recruit and retain workers in Vermont.
The bill guaranteed up to 12 weeks of paid parental or bonding leave and up to eight weeks of paid family care leave. The bill also contained the opportunity for individuals to opt in to a personal medical leave policy for a serious illness.
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