House Bill 11 (HB 11), known as the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act, recently faced a significant setback in the New Mexico Legislature. The anti-business bill, designed to establish a state-administered paid family and medical leave program, was defeated in the Senate Finance Committee with an 8-3 vote, with only three Democrats supporting the measure. This outcome has sparked discussions about the bill’s potential implications, particularly concerning its impact on small businesses.
HB 11 aimed to provide New Mexico workers with paid leave benefits:
Family Wellness Leave: This provision proposed up to six weeks of paid leave for circumstances such as serious health conditions, acting as a family caregiver, bereavement, military exigencies, or situations involving domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, or abuse. Funding was to come from contributions by both employees and employers, with workers contributing 0.2% of their income and employers with five or more employees contributing 0.15% of wages. For an employee earning $1,000, this would translate to a $2 contribution from the employee and a $1.50 contribution from the employer.
The defeat of HB 11 has been met with relief by many in the business community, particularly among small business owners who viewed the bill as potentially detrimental to their operations. The primary concerns centered around the financial and operational burdens the legislation would impose:
- Financial Strain: The mandated contributions were seen as an additional tax on both employers and employees. Small businesses, often operating on thin profit margins, feared that these extra costs could lead to increased prices for consumers, reduced employee benefits, or even layoffs.
- Operational Challenges: Replacing employees on extended leave poses significant challenges, especially for small businesses with limited staff. The potential difficulty in finding qualified temporary replacements could disrupt operations, reduce productivity, and negatively impact customer satisfaction.
The journey of HB 11 through the legislative process was marked by intense debates and closely contested votes. The House Commerce and Economic Development Committee approved a substitute version of the bill on February 20, 2025, with a narrow 6-5 vote. Despite adjustments to address financial impact concerns, the bill faced opposition from various business groups. Terri Cole, executive director of the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, argued that the bill imposed a tax increase on both employers and workers. Tom Patterson from the New Mexico Cattle Grower’s Association highlighted challenges specific to rural areas, noting that the assumption of readily available qualified labor to cover for employees on leave does not hold true in rural New Mexico.
Good news for us, but a set back for the Marxist’s in Santa Fe.
thank goodness some of the people in our legislature go against her majesty.
Common sense finally prevails!
A huge win for small business and the little guy.
I’m more concerned about the Juvenile $2000 payout and support for killing someone
Had this bad bill passed, New Mexico’s small businesses would be gone with the wind.
MLG, NM’s Tiny TyRunt dictator doesn’t care for small businesses as a majority don’t donate to the socialist party
Wow. An ethical decision in Santa Fe – have we slipped into an alternate reality? ::jaw dropped::
Well, that’s one in a row. What about the bill gifting 9k to a woman giving birth? That’s $72 more than I get in a year from social security!!!
These money spewing giveaways are hurting seniors with higher property taxes, higher utilities, higher car insurance, health insurance, groceries. Every day expenses and seniors are unable to give birth without an immaculate intervention.
Another stupid SB bill 481 wants to tear down a perfectly functioning NM Expo that produces services to the community and generates millions in taxes. Whatever vision of sugar plums the people have behind this proposal is not beneficial to anyone other than them. You can’t plant a rose bush in the middle of a cesspool and expect a floral garden. They need to purchase the surrounding closed businesses, CVS, Walmart and others along Central and San Pedro IMHO. Besides, doesn’t a bond issue have to be approved by the voters?
Sorry to take up so much space but the mentality of our so called leaders and legislators are beyond reproach. Many more frivolous self serving bills instead of actual fix it.
I’m surprised that a few socialist party members voted against the Tiny TyRunt’s will
The writing is on the wall, the Democrat party is falling apart. The people want DOGE and Trump policies. I pray the days of corruption and darkness are numbered in NM. Drain the NM swamp!