Free Daily Headlines :

  • COVID-19
  • Vaccine Info
  • Money
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Health
  • Justice
  • More
    • Environment
    • Economic Development
    • Gaming
    • Investigations
    • Social Services
    • TRANSPORTATION
  • Opinion
    • CT Viewpoints
    • CT Artpoints
DONATE
Reflecting Connecticut’s Reality.
    COVID-19
    Vaccine Info
    Money
    Politics
    Education
    Health
    Justice
    More
    Environment
    Economic Development
    Gaming
    Investigations
    Social Services
    TRANSPORTATION
    Opinion
    CT Viewpoints
    CT Artpoints

LET�S GET SOCIAL

Show your love for great stories and out standing journalism
CT VIEWPOINTS -- opinions from around Connecticut

Mandated paid family leave plan is financially unfeasible

Another reason good businesses will NOT establish themselves here

  • CT Viewpoints
  • by Mark Stewart Greenstein
  • February 26, 2019
  • View as "Clean Read" "Exit Clean Read"

Mandated Paid Leave…  So here they go again.  Members of the State Rep. Josh Elliott wing claim that when a state forces its employers to pay people who want to take time off from work for family reasons it is appealing to employers.

Errrr.  If it were so appealing, we’d see almost every state employer doing it now.

Instead, it’s appealing to a few special groups, groups from whom the Josh Elliott wing expects to win votes.  It’s unappealing, indeed repulsive, to those of us who balance work and family life.  It’s also another tax, falling most heavily on workers for whom even a 4 percent tax increase means almost zero left-over savings.  (The single mom at $50,000 salary rarely saves more than $2,500 of it.  Knock out 4 percent – that’s $2,000 – and there’s almost nothing left.)

Now the Josh Elliott wing’s proposal put the tax at only 0.5 percent, not 4 percent.  That’s unsustainable for the amount of funding needed. Whether these legislators know this and are mischievous, or whether ignorant and following a trope that “feels good,” is hard to say.  Either way, these “leaders” are dangerous. They can’t do basic math; or choose not to.

Let US do some math.

At 0.5 percent, the $52,000 a year salaried worker will see $260 a year extracted, but when used depletes the fund by $12,000 (12 weeks at $1,000 a week). To break even, this worker would use her benefit for 12 weeks every 46 years, aka less than once in a career.

Faced with a FREE benefit to staying home, many workers will indulge this benefit at every possible opportunity: grandma’s illness, an international marriage, a spouse’s therapy treatments.  Don’t be surprised if a pet’s surgery gets added to the provisions of family leave.

So what financially can be used for 12 weeks every 46 years is likely to be used once every FOUR years.  To make the fund self-sustaining, we’d need a payroll tax of at least 4 percent, and we’d need to make the leave benefit partial, not full.

More math (and logic): a fund needs time to build up.  Those 0.5 percent extractions don’t result in even ONE fully-paid week off until at least four years of build-up.  But don’t you think people will just wait until they have a deep need?  Not when the whole scheme could go kaput quickly.  Those who know how to work the state welfare systems will make depletions as soon as the state permits it.  No ailment now?  They’ll find one — “for long standing ongoing family / pet problems.”

But, the progressives contend, “some people actually need this kind of leave truly that often.  Some need it EVERY year.”

Errrr.  Those who find extraneous yearly needs are  NOT the kind of desired employees those big employers are courting.

Now, we SHOULD want to make employees with truly high family responsibilities more capable of taking time off.  Here’s my way:

1) Eliminate the state income tax.  Ping.  There’s 3 to 7 percent more money for you, tax sheltered if using an HSA.

2) Reduce energy costs.  A family that can save $150 a month can fund four weeks of leave paid for after just three years.  (Remember, in a 25 percent tax bracket, saving $150 is like earning $200).

3) Reduce property taxes.  Whether owner or renter, living with lower property taxes means more money to take care of your family.

4) Allow partial federal income tax opt-outs.  This will take negotiation with Washington, D.C., but we have a president who likes making deals.  Opting out of the unconstitutional federal services a family chooses not to use (or will pay for as they use them) is a win-win for Donald Trump and for Connecticut families.

5) Reduce regulations on business.  They are costly, and they cause higher prices for consumers.  Your car would be at least 20 percent cheaper if the regulations on Detroit’s manufacturers were at the level of those in the 1950s.  Your hairdresser, lawn care firm, tailor, and restaurateur would be able to charge 5 to 15 percent less if the state did not make it so much harder to do business.

If even two of the above five proposals were enacted, Connecticut would become an appealing place for businesses.  That itself raises wages. If all five were enacted, Connecticut would be a business mecca.

That “mecca” can come about by vigorous government.  A governor and General Assembly devoted the RIGHT WAY to getting people more free time, more job flexibility, and higher wages will make a noticeable difference.

The Josh Elliott way is the WRONG way.

Mark Stewart Greenstein is an educator based in Newington.  He was a 2018 governor candidate and is seeking the 5th  District Senate seat. He is also the founder of an academy for middle school enrichment: www.AmigoAcademy.us.

CT Viewpoints will entertain first-person position statements of candidates for elected office that focus on policy ideas and principles, but will not publish third-party endorsements for candidacies or direct appeals for support. It is our policy to offer all candidates for elective office equal opportunity for comment. The views expressed by candidates are intended for voter education and are not endorsements of, or opposition to, those views by the Connecticut Mirror.

Sign up for CT Mirror's free daily news summary.

Free to Read. Not Free to Produce.

The Connecticut Mirror is a nonprofit newsroom. 90% of our revenue comes from people like you. If you value our reporting please consider making a donation. You'll enjoy reading CT Mirror even more knowing you helped make it happen.

YES, I'LL DONATE TODAY

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

SEE WHAT READERS SAID

RELATED STORIES
The Board of Regents’ changes must not shortchange its students or faculty
by Carrie Andreoletti, PhD

As a university professor and a lifespan developmental psychologist, I tend to approach my work from a developmental perspective. This means I aim to foster a lifelong love of learning and to help others find a sense of meaning and purpose, as well as confidence in their ability to reach their goals. My approach to higher education is shaped by my desire to provide the best possible education for my students. This is why the recent Board of Regents’ proposed changes at the four state universities have me worried.

How to close schooling opportunity gaps created by the pandemic
by Carol Gale

We ask school district leaders to trust your public servants whose daily work life involves assessing student needs and planning or modifying instruction to meet those needs. Listen to their voices, as we have, and allocate precious resources on interventions that will offer increased opportunities for Hartford students to succeed.

A new guide for schools: How to work with families this spring
by Michael Arrington and Erika Haynes

With months of remote and hybrid learning to go, families and educators continue to adapt and innovate to meet the moment. Since August, we’ve spoken with hundreds of parents, caregivers, family support groups, educators, and students across Connecticut and the country about things things that have worked --strategies, big and small, that have made this time more manageable and helped children learn and stay connected with peers.

Housing is a human right
by Tenaya Taylor

Nonprofit Accountability Group is a queer- and trans-led group based in Hartford that is dedicated to creating racial equity by directing resources to Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) and disabled children and families. NAG was founded in 2020 as an organization with a transformative approach to implementing nonprofit accountability by creating relationships within the community, nonprofits, and their funders.

How do we show that we value teachers? By listening to them.
by Sana Shaikh

When I was graduating college, my friends’ futures were brimming with impressive labels: Google, Facebook, McKinsey, Bain, PhD, MD, Fulbrights – the list of professional excellence was seemingly never-ending. When I said that I was becoming a teacher, I got puzzled looks – “Why would you be a teacher?” “If you can’t do, teach,” I heard. The nonchalance about my professional trajectory was unsettling. What’s more? Nothing has changed in the last ten years.

Support Our Work

Show your love for great stories and outstanding journalism.

$
Select One
  • Monthly
  • Yearly
  • Once
Artpoint painter
CT ViewpointsCT Artpoints
Opinion The Board of Regents’ changes must not shortchange its students or faculty
by Carrie Andreoletti, PhD

As a university professor and a lifespan developmental psychologist, I tend to approach my work from a developmental perspective. This means I aim to foster a lifelong love of learning and to help others find a sense of meaning and purpose, as well as confidence in their ability to reach their goals. My approach to higher education is shaped by my desire to provide the best possible education for my students. This is why the recent Board of Regents’ proposed changes at the four state universities have me worried.

Opinion How to close schooling opportunity gaps created by the pandemic
by Carol Gale

We ask school district leaders to trust your public servants whose daily work life involves assessing student needs and planning or modifying instruction to meet those needs. Listen to their voices, as we have, and allocate precious resources on interventions that will offer increased opportunities for Hartford students to succeed.

Opinion A new guide for schools: How to work with families this spring
by Michael Arrington and Erika Haynes

With months of remote and hybrid learning to go, families and educators continue to adapt and innovate to meet the moment. Since August, we’ve spoken with hundreds of parents, caregivers, family support groups, educators, and students across Connecticut and the country about things things that have worked --strategies, big and small, that have made this time more manageable and helped children learn and stay connected with peers.

Opinion Housing is a human right
by Tenaya Taylor

Nonprofit Accountability Group is a queer- and trans-led group based in Hartford that is dedicated to creating racial equity by directing resources to Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) and disabled children and families. NAG was founded in 2020 as an organization with a transformative approach to implementing nonprofit accountability by creating relationships within the community, nonprofits, and their funders.

Artwork Grand guidance
by Anne:Gogh

In a world of systemic oppression aimed towards those of darker skintones – representation matters. We are more than our equity elusive environments, more than numbers in a prison and much more than victims of societal dispositions. This piece depicts a melanated young man draped in a cape ascending high above multiple forms of oppression. […]

Artwork Shea
by Anthony Valentine

Shea is a story about race and social inequalities that plague America. It is a narrative that prompts the question, “Do you know what it’s like to wake up in new skin?”

Artwork The Declaration of Human Rights
by Andres Chaparro

Through my artwork I strive to create an example of ideas that reflect my desire to raise social consciousness, and cultural awareness. Jazz music is the catalyst to all my work, and plays a major influence in each piece of work.”

Artwork ‘A thing of beauty. Destroy it forever’
by Richard DiCarlo | Derby

During times like these it’s often fun to revisit something familiar and approach things with a different slant. I have been taking some Pop culture and Art masterpieces and applying the vintage 1960’s and 70’s classic figures (Fisher Price, little people) to the make an amusing pieces. Here is my homage to Fisher -Price, Yellow […]

Twitter Feed
A Twitter List by CTMirror

Engage

  • Reflections Tickets & Sponsorships
  • Events
  • Donate
  • Newsletter Sign-Up
  • Submit to Viewpoints
  • Submit to ArtPoints
  • Economic Indicator Dashboard
  • Speaking Engagements
  • Commenting Guidelines
  • Legal Notices
  • Contact Us

About

  • About CT Mirror
  • Announcements
  • Board
  • Staff
  • Sponsors and Funders
  • Donors
  • Friends of CT Mirror
  • History
  • Financial
  • Policies
  • Strategic Plan

Opportunity

  • Advertising and Sponsorship
  • Speaking Engagements
  • Use of Photography
  • Work for Us

Go Deeper

  • Steady Habits Podcast
  • Economic Indicator Dashboard
  • Five Things

The Connecticut News Project, Inc. 1049 Asylum Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105. Phone: 860-218-6380

© Copyright 2021, The Connecticut News Project. All Rights Reserved. Website by Web Publisher PRO