Kathy Hochul Stuns New York Families With Positive News

Governor Kathy Hochul recently announced that a record number of New Yorkers are taking advantage of a paid family leave program...

Photo byMTA via Wikimedia Commons

New York Governor Kathy Hochul recently announced that paid family leave is on the rise. According to a statement from the Governor, a record number of people are using New York's paid family leave program to bond with their children or care for a seriously ill family member.

"When I signed New York's paid family leave expansion into law, I reaffirmed our state's commitment to ensuring that workers have the protections they need to bond with their parents, children, and other loved ones," Governor Hochul said. "Now, workers are responding — with rising enrollment and record-high utilization, particularly among fathers. Our nation-leading paid family leave program is a testament to our efforts to make New York the most worker-friendly state in the nation, and I will continue working closely with the Legislature to enact the policies and programs that support strong families." 

"Under Governor Hochul's leadership, New York has fortified its commitment to comprehensive paid family leave, which is pivotal to safeguarding economic security of all workers," said Department of Financial Services Superintendent Adrienne A. Harris. "The public database enables transparent monitoring of the program's success, enabling stakeholders in New York and across the country to leverage invaluable insights from a nation-leading family leave program."

"New York gets it - no one should have to choose between a paycheck and caring for family," said Chair of the Workers' Compensation Board Clarissa M. Rodriguez. "The hundreds of thousands of working New Yorkers who have taken Paid Family Leave since 2018 know the value of this critical benefit, as do their children and other family members who have benefitted from their care. It's so wonderful to see more people using this benefit each year."

"We know that expanded paid family leave helps close the gender pay gap, and allows workers the time they deserve to care for their children and other family members," said New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon. "It is monumental that New Yorkers are taking advantage of this nation-leading program, and I hope this influences even more New Yorkers to use the program. I thank Governor Hochul for her dedication to helping New York families by supporting expanded paid family leave."

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