The MomsRising E-exchange: October 2008
The MomsRising.org e-Exchange
A Dialog Among Organizations Working to Build a Family-Friendly America
October, 2008
Circulation: 242
Hello everyone!
In this e-Exchange you'll find our latest information from Partner Organizations working to build a more family-friendly America. But, first, we want to report that the Omega weekend in July was a joyful experience: all of us who work virtually most of the time were delighted to get to spend time in person with one another. To read some about this weekend discussion about the Women's Movement of the 21st Century, go to http://www.momsrising.org/node/971. We learned so much from everyone who came and are deeply grateful for their contributions. We hope to have more conversations around the country in the coming year.
If you have news or announcements or success stories to report for our next e-Exchange, please email me at Nanette@MomsRising.org. Thanks!
CONTENTS
A. Highlights of MomsRising.orgs Work With Partner Organizations Around the Country
1. MomsVote '08
2. MomsRising.orgs Rapid Response Actions
3. Raising All Voices
4. California Healthcare Project
5. Shout Out to All the Organizations That Helped Pass the Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act!
6. Paid Sick Days Collaboration
B. Momentum From Around the Country--Updates from Aligned Organizations
1. Afterschool Programs Update: Afterschool Alliance
2. Child Care Update: National Womens Law Center
3. Paid Sick Days: National Partnership for Women and Families and the Labor Project for Working Families
4. Paid Family and Medical Leave Legislative Update:
Multi-StateWorking Families Consortium and the National Partnership for Women and Families
C. News You Can Use: New Opportunities, Organizations, and Resources
A - Highlights of MomsRising.orgs Work With Partner Organizations Around the Country
1. MomsVote '08
Mothers pack a political punch for both elections and advocacy. Women make up 54% of the total electorate, and 82% American women are mothers by the time they are 44 years old. Today, there are over 80 million mothers in our country, and 10.4 million of these are single mothers living with children younger than 18 years old. Motherhood is a unifying framework that crosses socioeconomic, cultural, and political lines. Yet in 2004, nearly 36 million women of voting age were not registered, and many registered women did not vote. Put into more understandable terms, that's 1 of 12 of our friends. Why? According to national polling, moms felts that candidates were not addressing issues that mattered to them.
MomsVote '08 aims to change this, by linking moms' concerns about the issues with their actions in the voting booth (or at the kitchen table filling out their absentee ballot). MomsVote is helping moms to: a) ask candidates questions, b) determine how the candidates stand on issues which are important to them, c) get the issues of mothers and families in the media, and d) get moms registered and turn out the mom vote. At both the Democratic and Republican National Convention sites, MomsRising exhibited an eye-catching display of decorated baby onesies -- called the Power of ONEsie -- to bring attention to real issues such as paid family leave and paid sick days, addressing the costs and quality of early learning/child care, and fair pay for moms. MomsRising is also running nationwide "Debate Bingo" nights for moms in their living rooms to gather with their kids, families and other moms and "rate" the candidates on how often (and well) they address mom-friendly issues.
MomsVote Pledge to Vote Campaign is sending thousands of eye-catching window clings to moms who pledge to vote this year. Additionally, if they are not registered, we provide a link to easy voter registration. MomsVote is a (c)(3) effort, is non-partisan, and nationwide in scope. Check out our MomsVote webspace here: http://www.momsrising.org/momsvote
2. MomsRising.org's Rapid Response Actions
Here's how it works: You've got an urgent action you're about to work on with your members. It's a timely issue--the big decision-makers are ready to go. Your research shows that a strong grassroots outcry will push it over the top and help score a win on the issue. This would be an ideal time to contact MomsRising.org to see if our grassroots members can be engaged! We're here to be your action partner, connecting our engaged membership with the great research and issue advocacy that you do. So when the time comes, give us a call or email so we are able to see if we can work with you. Contact kristin@momsrising.org.
Although we can't promise to always have the bandwidth or member energy to engage on all of the issues our partner organizations contact us about at that very moment, we find that we can often jump in. Our intent is to keep the communication lines open so that we can build this movement together.
For example, in our first two years we have made significant headway working in partnership with aligned organizations. Recently, we worked in coalition with Color of Change, LCCR, NAACP, LCLAA, Alliance for Justice, Mothers and More, and others to push the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. Together, we sent over 18,000 letters to Congress in support as well as participated in a coordinated nationwide call-in to the Senate. MomsRising.org coordinated in-district meetings in 44 states so constituents could tell their Senate offices that they support this Act. During these meetings MomsRising.org members delivered our over 21,000 petition signatures alongside petition deliveries from Color of Change. Together with our partner organizations we won a majority of the Senate votes and are intent upon winning a filibuster-proof majority whenever this comes up next.
We are always interested in learning about your long-term campaigns and ways we might engage with you as you plan them!
3. Raising All Voices
Is your organization planning a conference or training? Got your speakers on work-family issues covered? If not, MomsRising.org may be able to step up for you! The Raising All Voices program of MomsRising.org is pleased to work with our aligned and potentially aligned organizations to offer our perspective on work-family issues for your panel discussions or keynote needs. We are especially interested in working with organizations of people of color and faith organizations. Please contact Anita@MomsRising.org for more information.
4. California Healthcare Project
MomsRising.org members are working hard with our partners at the 100 Percent Campaign -- Children's Defense Fund, Children Now, and The Children's Partnership, to fight cuts to children's healthcare in California. In a "back to school" message in August, MomsRising.org members and representatives from the 100 Percent Campaign urged legislators to "hit the books' by reading the personal stories of over 40 MomsRising.org members that show why covering all kids saves money and lives.
We've also launched our first-ever MomsRising.org video contest for kids to create serious or funny videos in support of healthcare for all kids! Check out these fun videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/Momsrising. We'd love your help getting the word out! If your organization can let youth or parents in California know about the video contest, please contact julia@momsrising.org.5. Shout Out to All the Organizations That Helped Pass the Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act!
Demonstrating the power of coalitions, in July both houses of Congress passed the Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act "enacting the toughest lead standards in the world" and banning six phthalates from children's products. An amazing group of health, environment, consumer, parent, and faith organizations banded together under the incredible leadership of the Breast Cancer Fund to stop corporate lobbyists in their tracks. And MomsRising.org members helped provide grassroots support by sending in over 100,000 letters in support of the Act and the ban on phthalates. In a stunning recognition of the power of the people, only three Senators and one House Representative dared to vote against the legislation. And on August 14th, the President signed this legislation into law.6. Paid Sick Days Collaboration
In the last seven months, our members have taken over 90,000 online actions in support of paid sick days. Our efforts include the interactive "Don't Get Sick" game, e-outreaches, blog discussions, and membership in various communities of national and statewide organizations that are working to make paid sick days a reality for all Americans.
California
Our members in California have taken an astounding 48,977 online actions relating to paid sick days since April of 2008. Sacramento-area members also sent in letters to the editor in response to a call from the Sacramento Bee to weigh in on paid sick days. A highlight of the campaign was the Orange-o-Gram outreach, in which the MomsRising.org team and partners delivered oranges tagged with personal messages about the need for paid sick days.Connecticut
In Connecticut, our members have taken an impressive 19,629 online actions in support of paid sick days since February of 2007. We're working with the Connecticut Working Families Party, implementing outreach activities including Apple Gram delivery, a Power of ONEsie display, and letters to state legislators.Maine
In the last year, our members in Maine took 1158 online actions, including: delivery of Apple-Grams, sharing of the excellent media campaign developed by the Maine Women's Lobby and member engagement emails.Massachusetts
Our members in Massachusetts have taken over 17,000 online actions since February of 2007. Our members and partners also delivered Apple Grams to legislators with their personal stories in support of paid sick days and sent thank you notes to leaders in this field for their work on Paid Sick Days. In addition, MomsRising members who are business owners signed on to a letter supporting Paid Sick days.Ohio
Our members in Ohio have been spreading the word to friends and family about the need for paid sick days, since April of 2008. Our Ohio members have contacted their legislators nearly 2,000 times. Partnering with Ohioans for Healthy Families, MomsRising.org members delivered the much discussed Burrito-Grams in response to a norovirus outbreak caused by a sick Chipotle Restaurant worker.Milwaukee
We're excited to launch our work in the City of Milwaukee. Our members living within the city have contacted their legislators over 1,700 times via letters and online outreaches. Stay tuned for more action in support of Paid Sick Days in Milwaukee!Washington D.C.
Our members in the Washington, DC area sent in over 3400 letters to the DC City Council in support of paid sick days.If you are working on paid sick days legislation in your state, let us know about it! Just email katie@momsrising.org
B. Momentum From Around the Country--Updates from Aligned Organizations
1. Afterschool Programs Update: Afterschool Alliance
Lights On Afterschool Set for October 16th
For the second year in a row, the Empire State Building will be lit a vivid yellow in honor of Lights On Afterschool this year. The October 16th celebration will mark the 10th anniversary of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers federal afterschool initiative. Visit www.afterschoolalliance.org for more information.CA Afterschool Funding at Risk
In 2002, California voters passed Proposition 49, which created thousands of new afterschool programs and guaranteed that afterschool funding would not be subject to political wrangling from year to year. The vote was not close; 57 percent of voters said œyes to a steady, dedicated funding stream for afterschool programs. But now, Proposition 49 " known as the After School Education and Safety (ASES) program " and the thousands of afterschool programs it supports are at risk.
Budget language recently approved by the state legislatures Budget Conference Committee would essentially repeal Proposition 49s commitment to afterschool funding. ASES currently funds more than 3,800 afterschool programs statewide.
The bill language would submit an initiative to the voters that would give the legislature the authority to substantially reduce afterschool funding or eliminate the states afterschool programs altogether. If placed on the November ballot and passed by California voters, the initiative would end the guaranteed continuous appropriation for ASES programs, allowing state legislators to set funding levels each year.
A broad coalition is forming to oppose the measure, including the Afterschool Alliance, Bay Area Partnership for Children and Youth, California School-Age Consortium (CalSAC), Children Now, Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, League of California Afterschool Providers, MomsRising.org, and afterschool programs and municipalities across the state.
Summer Learning Programs Boost Student Success
A significant body of research shows that children lose much of the information they learned in school over the summer, but new studies reveal that summer programs not only stem those losses, but help improve students grades the following school year.
A new Issue Brief from the Afterschool Alliance and the Center for Summer Learning highlights the ways summer programs help students academically, and keep them healthy and safe during the months when schools are closed. It also identifies several programs that do this work especially well.
Summer: A Season When Learning is Essential notes that studies dating back to 1906 find that children score lower on standardized tests at the end of summer than they do in the spring when schools close. Summer programs that address the needs of the whole child seem to be most successful at boosting academic achievement. They also motivate students to want to learn, and help them develop new skills and talents.
In more and more communities, the afterschool programs that operate during the school year are morphing into summer programs that keep kids safe, inspire them to learn, and give working parents confidence that their children are safe and supervised during the months when schools are closed. Afterschool-turned-summer programs can help prevent œsummer learning loss, the Issue Brief says. It is available at http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/issue_br.cfm.
Kentucky News
The YMCAs afterschool program at Ryland Heights Elementary School recently received the Kentucky Department of Educations Excellence Award. The program involves more than one-third of the schools students, and is a big part of the reason the schools performance on state mandated proficiency tests improved 19 percent last year. One-third of the programs students improved their math and reading by at least one letter grade.Maine News
Most school principals in Maine agree that afterschool and summer programs are a necessity, but say funding is inadequate to meet the need for these programs across the state. That is according to a recent survey of principals conducted by the Afterschool Alliance in cooperation with the Maine Afterschool Network and funded by the Nellie Mae Education Foundation. According to Spotlight on Maine, an overwhelming majority of Maine principals say that it is important for all children and youth to have access to quality, affordable summer programs and that there are students in their schools who could benefit from summer programs who currently do not participate. Principals believe summer learning programs should include not just academic support, but also a range of activities including recreational sports and hands-on learning.New York News
Some 40 New York City high school students with a passion for sports are completing an intensive eight-week program of training in sports instruction and general work skills this summer. The program, run by The After-School Corporation (TASC), was made possible by a generous, $410,000 grant from the MetLife Foundation. It is based on an exemplary Chicago high school internship program run by After School Matters. TASC will expand the New York City program to include apprenticeships for 100 high school students in the upcoming school year, and take it to two more cities. Asphalt Green in Manhattan and the Samuel Field YM and YWHA in Queens are training the first 40 students this summer.2. Child Care Update: National Women's Law Center
Women are feeling increasingly anxious about the economy, and more are seeing a need for a greater public role in assisting families as they try to make ends meet and care for their children. In a poll recently released by the National Womens Law Center (NWLC),
- 75 percent of women said that they favored increasing government funding to ensure access to quality child care and early education
- 76 percent of women said that addressing the expansion of access to quality, affordable child care and early education was extremely or very important.
Similarly, a survey conducted by the Rockefeller Foundation and TIME magazine found that two in three Americans favor investments in government-funded child care.
The NWLC poll also found that 55 percent of women feel that the government should be doing more to solve problems and meet the needs of people. In addition, 71 percent of women said they felt that œwe still must do more or we still have a long way to go when it comes to policies that make it possible to better combine work and family.
Fortunately, there is already a bill that outlines a strategy for making high-quality, affordable child care available to more families. The Starting Early, Starting Right Act (S. 2980), which was introduced by Sen. Robert Casey, D-Pa., would provide $50 billion in mandatory child care funds over five years to support efforts to improve the quality of child care and help more low-income families afford child care.
The bill addresses child care quality by expanding the amount of Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) funds targeted to quality improvements, taking steps to ensure adequate training of child care providers, ensuring regular monitoring of child care programs, and supporting states in developing and maintaining systems to rate child care programs and assist programs in improving their quality ratings. The bill also requires states to pay higher reimbursement rates to child care providers caring for children whose families receive child care assistance. In addition, the bill requires states to set aside a minimum of 30 percent of their CCDBG funding to improve the quality and expand the availability of child care for infants and toddlers. The bill re-establishes a federal Office of Child Care within the Administration for Children and Families as well.
The Starting Early, Starting Right Act would be an important step in helping more families access the high-quality, affordable care that helps children develop the skills they need to be ready for school and reach their full potential, and that gives parents the support and peace of mind they need to be productive at work.
For more information, contact Karen Schulman at the National Womens Law Center: Email: kschulman@nwlc.org.
3. Paid Sick Days: National Partnership for Women and Families and the Labor Project for Working Families
In 2006, San Francisco became the first locality in the nation to guarantee paid sick days for all its workers. Since then, a national paid sick days movement has grown. Legislators in more than a dozen states as well as on Capitol Hill are advocating for paid sick days initiatives in 2008. For more information, visit www.paidsickdays.org.
ALASKA
A coalition led by Alaska PIRG is advocating for SB 258, which would provide one hour of paid sick time for every 40 hours worked. The paid sick time could be used to recover from illness, care for a sick family member, or seek domestic violence recovery services. Status: The bill was introduced on Feb. 1 and had a hearing in the Labor and Commerce Committee on Feb. 28. The bill did not pass before the legislative ended on Apr. 13 but advocates will reintroduce and continue advocacy in the next session. For more information, visit www.akpirg.org.CALIFORNIA
A broad coalition that includes the Labor Project for Working Families, ACORN, the California Labor Federation, and the California Partnership advocated for paid sick days in the 2008 legislative session. AB 2716 would provide one hour of paid sick time per 30 hours worked. Workers employed by smaller businesses (with 10 or fewer employees) would be able to earn up to five days per year, while workers employed at larger businesses (with 11 or more employees) could earn up to nine. The paid sick days could be used to recover from illness, care for an ill family member, or for reasons related to sexual assault or domestic violence. Status: The bill was introduced on Feb. 22, 2008 by Assembly Member Ma of San Francisco. It was referred to the Assembly Committee on Labor and Employment, which held a hearing on Apr. 9 and passed the bill. The bill was heard and passed by the Assembly Judiciary Committee on Apr. 15, by the Committee on Appropriations on May 22, and by the Assembly as a whole on May 28. The legislation was then moved to the Senate and considered by the Senate Labor and Industrial Relations Committee, which passed it on June 25. But the bill was held by the Appropriations Committee on Aug. 6, and will not go to the floor of the Senate for a vote this year. Advocates have begun planning the bills reintroduction for the next legislative session. For more information, visit www.paidsickdaysca.org.
CONNECTICUT
A coalition headed by Connecticut ACORN is advocating for a paid sick days bill, SB 217, which would require that employers with 25 or more employees provide one hour of paid sick time for every 40 hours worked, capped at 52 hours annually. The paid sick days earned could be used for an employees own illness, to care for a sick family member, or in cases dealing with family violence, sexual assault or violence. Status: The bill was introduced on Feb. 15th and referred to the Joint Committee on Labor and Public Employees. A hearing was held on Feb. 28, and the committee passed the bill. The bill was then passed by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Apr. 11. On May 1, the Senate amended the bill (including an amendment to move the coverage threshold to 50 employees) and passed it. The House, however, failed to call the bill for a vote in time before the legislative session ended on May 7. The legislature did not bring up the issue during its one-day special session in June, which concluded action on the bill for this years session. For more information, visit http://www.everybodybenefits.org.
WASHINGTON, D.C.
The DC Paid Sick and Safe Days Coalition, guided by the DC Employment Justice Center, led the charge for B17- 0197, the Accrued Sick and Safe Leave Act. The bill provides seven paid sick and safe days for workers in firms with 100 employees or more, five days for firms with 25-99 employees, and three days for firms with 24 or fewer employees. The paid time off can be used to recover from illness, care for a sick family member, or seek services related to domestic violence. Status: The bill was carried over from 2007 and agendized in the full council on Jan. 15. It was put to a vote on Feb. 5, when it was amended and then passed by a vote of 11 to 2. The bills second reading was held on March 4. After amending the bill, legislators passed it unanimously, making DC the second jurisdiction in the nation to guarantee paid sick days for its workers and the first to guarantee safe days. For more information, visit www.dcejc.org
A coalition guided by Women Employed is rallying behind the Healthy Workplace Act, HB 5320, which would guarantee one hour of paid sick time per 30 hours worked, up to a maximum of seven days per year. The paid sick days could be used for an employees illness or to care for a sick family member, or to seek medical diagnosis or treatment. Status: The bill was introduced on Feb. 14th by Rep. Julie Hamos. No further action will be taken on the bill in the 2008 session, but a hearing will be held the following year; advocates are now working to expand their coalition and campaign. This fall, the coalition is having several town hall meetings around the state to build awareness about the need for paid sick days at which attendees can share stories of how they coped without sick days when they or family members were sick. For more information, visit www.womenemployed.org
MAINE
The Maine Womens Lobby is partnering with the Work and Family Coalition to advance L.D. 1454, An Act to Care for Working Families. The amended version of the bill would guarantee workers up to five paid sick days per year, accrued at a rate of one hour per 30 hours worked, and cover all workers employed by establishments with 25 or more employees. Status: Although the Labor Committee passed the bill, the House of Representatives failed to enact it. The bill was narrowly defeated in a vote on Apr. 7, 2008. Advocates are now mobilizing the public and will continue their efforts next legislative session. For more information, visit www.healthyfamilieshealthyworkplaces.org
MASSACHUSETTS
The Massachusetts Paid Family Leave Coalition, led by Greater Boston Legal Services and ACORN, are working with allies in the state legislature to advance S 1073/ H 1803. The bill would require all businesses to guarantee full-time employees seven paid sick days annually. The paid sick days could be used to care for an employees own illness or a sick family member, for medical appointments or treatments, or to address the psychological, physical or legal effects of domestic violence. Status: The bill was introduced in 2007 but was carried over into 2008. It was passed by the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development on Apr. 18. The bill was sent to Senate Ways and Means and was determined to be cost neutral to the state and on May 7 the bill moved to the Senate Committee on Rules and Ethics. Unfortunately the bill did not get voted on in the full Senate before the session ended on July 31, 2008 (for all but non-controversial bills). Despite the fact that the bill did not advance this session, advocates are encouraged by the overwhelmingly favorable vote (12 to 3) from the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development. Advocates see the advancement of the bill out of the Joint Committee to be a great victory that we can build on for next year. For more information, visit www.gbls.org
MINNESOTA
A coalition led by Minnesota ACORN is backing SF 1324/ HF 1334. The bill would provide all workers with paid sick days to be used to recover for their own illness, to care for an ill family member, to obtain diagnosis or treatment, or for absence related to domestic violence. Paid sick time would accrue at the rate of one hour per 40 hours worked, capped at 52 hours or 6.5 days per year. Smaller businesses (defined as fewer than 10 employees) would provide one hour of paid sick time for every 80 hours worked, capped at 26 hours or 3.25 days per year. Status: The bill was introduced in 2007 and referred to the House Committee on Commerce and Labor and the Senate Committee on Business, Industry and Jobs. The bill did not pass before the House and Senate Committee deadlines for action on Mar. 28, and no further action will be taken on the bill during the 2007-2008 biennial legislative session. Advocates have committed to reintroducing the bill in the next session. For more information, visit www.acorn.org/index.php?id=10963
NEW YORK
The New York Paid Family Leave Coalition, A Better Balance and the Center for Working Families are laying the ground work for introduction of a Paid Sick Days bill in the NYC Council. Organizing will be done around public health, the restaurant industry and education. Working with Dr. Wendy Chavkin from the Mailman School at Columbia, the initial focus will be on public health, building a public health committee for PSD and FLI. Dr. Chavkin has just completed a study for the NYC Public Health Department. Status: A bill will be introduced in the NYC Council in December 08 or Jan 08, requiring employers to provide 9 days of paid sick time for employees in larger businesses and 5 days for employees in smaller businesses that can be used for ones own illness or that of a family member.NORTH CAROLINA
The states paid sick days coalition, led by the North Carolina Justice Center, are continuing to generate support for paid sick days in 2008. The bill they are supporting would guarantee all workers with one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked, up to a maximum of seven days annually. The paid sick days provided could be used for an employees own illness, to care for a sick family member, or to recover from incidents of domestic violence. Status: The bill was considered by the legislature in its short 2008 session, which convened in late May and ran through July. No action was taken during this years session; the bill will next be considered during the legislative session in 2009. For more information, visit www.ncsickdays.org
OHIO
The Ohio Healthy Families Act, HB 536, would require businesses with 25 or more workers to allow employees to earn seven paid sick days per year. The campaign is led by the Ohioans for Healthy Families Coalition, a diverse network of more than 190 community organizations and leaders throughout the state. Status: As part of Ohios initiated statute procedure, advocates in 2007 collected over 275,000 petition signatures, well over the 120,000 signatures necessary, to bring the legislation before lawmakers in 2008. The legislature was tasked with considering the bill, and a hearing was held in the House Commerce and Labor Committee on Apr. 15. But by May 8, the Ohio General Assembly had failed to pass or even vote on the Ohio Healthy Families Act within the time allotted under the "initiated statute" provision of the Ohio Constitution. Accordingly, the Ohio Healthy Families Act coalition gathered well over the 120,000 additional petition signatures necessary to place the measure directly on the November 2008 ballot. For more information, visit www.sickdaysohio.orgPENNSYLVANIA
PathWaysPA is working to bring paid sick days legislation to the state. They will continue advocating for a bill would guarantee workers with one hour of paid sick time for every 35 hours worked, up to a maximum of 56 hours per year. Businesses with fewer than 15 workers would be required to provide workers with one hour of paid sick time for every 70 hours workers, up to 28 hours a year. At this time, they are also in support of HB 1155, which offers slightly different requirements for paid sick time.
Paid sick days may be used to care for a workers own illness, a sick family member, or to recover from or seek services related to incidents of domestic violence. Status: HB 1155 was introduced in 2007 and referred to the House Labor Relations Committee, and carried over into 2008. No further action has yet been taken this session. For more information, visit www.pathwayspa.org
VERMONT
Voices for Vermonts Children and its coalition partners urged reconsideration of paid sick days in the 2008 legislative session. Their bill, H 337, would require that employers provide seven paid sick days annually for employees who work 30 or more hours per week to recover from their own illness, care for an ill family member, or seek preventive or routine health care. Status: The bill was introduced in 2007 and referred to the House General, Housing, and Military Affairs Committee. The bill was carried over to the 2008 session, when it was moved to the Commerce Committee. No further action was taken on the bill before the 2008 session drew to a close. For more information, visit www.voicesforvermontschildren.org
WEST VIRGINIA
The West Virginia Healthy Families Coalition, led by SEIU 1199, is advocating for the West Virginia Healthy Families Act. The Act would require businesses with more than 25 workers to allow workers to earn up to 7 paid sick days per year. Status: The bill, HB 4447, was introduced on February 6th and referred to the House Judiciary Committee. No further action was taken on the bill before the 2008 session ended. For more information, visit www.sickdayswv.org
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN
The Milwaukee Paid Sick Days Coalition is led by 9to5, National Association of Working Women and includes almost 50 labor, community, faith-based and neighborhood organizations working together to pass a city-wide referendum vote for paid sick days this November. The proposed ordinance would allow all workers in the city of Milwaukee to earn 1 hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked, capped at 9 paid sick days a year. Workers in businesses with less than 10 employees would accrue at a rate of 1 hour for every 50 worked, up to 5 days a year. Workers will be able to use the time for their own illness, family illness, medical appointments or any absence necessary due to domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking. Status: The coalition launched a petition drive on April 25th asking city residents to sign on in support of the proposed ordinance. They had 60 days to get 26,000 signatures to move the issue to the City Council. On June 23rd, the coalition turned in over 42,000 valid signatures to the Milwaukee City Clerk office. The signatures were verified and the ordinance was sent to the Council Judicial & Legislative Committee. 17 people from labor, community, education and business groups spoke in favor of the ordinance and it passed out of committee with a recommendation to the full Council for referendum.On July 30th the Milwaukee Common Council voted to pass the ordinance on to the November ballot in the form of a referendum. City residents will have the opportunity to make paid sick days a new minimum standard in the upcoming election. For more information, visit www.9to5.org
PHILADELPHIA, PA
Philadelphia City Councilman Darrell L. Clarke has introduced a bill in the City Council that would guarantee that all workers in the city have access to paid sick days. The bill would offer one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked, up to 72 hours (9 days) per year. Smaller businesses would have a lesser requirement of providing only 40 hours. Status: The bill will likely be considered by the Council in fall 2008.4. State and Local Action on Paid Family and Medical Leave: 2008 Outlook from the Multi-State Working Families Consortium and the National Partnership for Women and Families
Three in four people (76 percent) surveyed reported that they favor expanding the FMLA to offer paid leave. In 2008, legislatures in more than a half dozen states will respond to this need by considering paid family and medical leave legislation.
ARIZONA
SB1199 was introduced by Arizona State Senator Garcia. The bill would establish a family leave insurance program, providing up to five weeks of paid leave per year. Under the program, full-time workers would receive $250 per week. Workers would be able to use leave to care for a newborn or newly adopted child, to care for a seriously ill family member, or to recover from their own serious illness. Status: The bill was introduced on January 28, 2008 and referred to three committees: the Appropriations Committee, the Committee on Financial Institutions, Insurance, and Retirement, and the Rules Committee. No further action was taken by the legislature before the 2008 session ended.
S 114 would provide families with paid family and medical leave, increase tax deductions, and establish a work-family council. The bill would apply to all workers who have worked for at least a year, for at least 1,250 hours, and all employers with six or more employees. Employees would be entitled to a stipend of 80% of their wages, capped at $750 per week, for up to 12 weeks of paid leave. Status: On Jan. 11, 2007, the bill was referred to the Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities. On Sept. 20, an order was adopted to allow the Committee to hear the bill jointly with the Committee on Labor and Workforce Development. The bill carried over from 2007 to 2008, and no further action has been taken this legislative session.MINNESOTA
Rep. Joe Mullery introduced HF 2676, which would provide paid parental leave for all Minnesota workers who need time off to care for a newborn or newly adopted child. Under the proposed bill, the state would reimburse employers for providing paid leave. To receive reimbursement, employers must pay at least $200 per week to the worker, unless the pre-leave salary was $300 or less, in which case the employer has to pay at least $100 weekly. To receive reimbursement, leave would have to last a minimum of six weeks but up to 26 weeks. Employers would be reimbursed for half their weekly payment to their employees, up to $250 per week. Status: The bill was introduced on Feb. 12. It was referred to the Education Finance and Economic Competitiveness Finance Division, as well as the Higher Education and Work Force Development Policy and Finance Division, which held a hearing on the bill on Feb. 28. The bill did not pass before the House Committee deadlines for action on Mar. 28, and no further action will be taken on the bill during the 2007-2008 biennial legislative session.NEW JERSEY
In April 2008, New Jersey became the third state in the nation to enact paid family leave legislation. The New Jersey Time to Care Coalition led advocacy efforts for S786/A873, which will extend the State's existing temporary disability insurance (TDI) system to provide workers with family leave benefits to care for sick family members or to bond with newborn or newly adopted children. The legislation will provide 6 weeks of TDI benefits (two-thirds wage replacement up to maximum of $524 in 2008) for a worker taking leave, financed by small employee payroll deductions. Status: The bill was put to a vote in the Assembly on March 13th, after incorporating a short new section proposed by the Attorney General, and it passed by a vote of 46-30. On Apr. 7, 2008 the New Jersey Senate passed the bill by a vote of 21-15. Governor Corzine signed the bill into law on May 2. The law will go into effect in January 2009, and workers will be able to take paid leaves as of July 2009. For more information, visit the New Jersey Time to Care website at www.njtimetocare.rutgers.edu.
NEW YORK
The sudden mid-term change in Governors in March 2008 did much to disrupt the Coalition and its partners campaign for Paid Family Leave in the 2008 session, although the change in Governors did make it possible for the NYS Coalition, the Center for Working Families and the NYS AFL-CIO to advocate for a higher temporary disability insurance benefit, beginning at $340 with a schedule for increases in future years. The Senate introduced a broad-based bill in mid-June with the benefit increases. Three way conversations between the Assembly, Senate and the Governors office continued until the end of the session. Early on June 23rd, the last day of the session, Senate Majority Leader Bruno disrupted the finalization of many bills, including Paid Family Leave, with the announcement of his resignation. Advocates were encouraged by Governor Patersons remark at the post-session press conference that his biggest disappointment was Paid Family Leave not being passed. Status: The NYS Paid Family Leave Coalition, Center for Working Families (Working Families Party) and the NYS AFL-CIO will meet with the Assembly leadership after the November election to ensure that a bill is introduced early in the 2009 legislative session, beginning in January. For more information, visit the New York Time to Care website at www.timetocareny.org.
WASHINGTON
In 2008 Washington moved forward with its commitment to provide paid family leave for all new parents starting in October 2009. The 2008 legislature appropriated funding for start-up costs, and the Economic Security Department is developing the computer systems and outreach program to make Family Leave Insurance a success. As approved in 2007, the Family Leave Insurance program will provide up to 5 weeks of leave to care for a newborn or newly adopted child with a benefit of $250 per week, pro-rated for part time workers. The Washington Family Leave Coalition is gearing up for an important 2009 session which will include approval of a dedicated funding source for the program and likely expansion to include care of elderly parents and other seriously ill family members.
C. News You Can Use: New Opportunities, Organizations, and Resources
The Association for Research on Mothering (ARM) is thrilled to announce the first ever international summit on the international motherhood movement: You Say You Want a Revolution: The Motherhood Movement of the 21st Century. This conference is part of ARM's 12th annual conference on the topic of Mothering, Violence, Militarism, War and Social Justice and will take place at McLaughlin College, York University, Keele campus, Toronto, Canada from Friday, October 24- Sunday October 26.
The conference features invited speakers from 22 international motherhood organizations and includes 9 regular sessions, 6 Keynote panels, 1 reception (Oct 25), 1 book launch (Oct 25), 2 breakfasts (Oct 24-26) and a light lunch (Oct 26). The conference concludes with a roundtable of all 22 motherhood movement organizations entitled, "Motherhood Movement Roundtable: Next Steps, Future Directions: Creating an International Motherhood Movement."
For full information, the list of speakers, registration and current program, please visit the ARM website: http://www.yorku.ca/arm/conference.html
The Sloan Work and Family Research Network recently released a new policy brief, œSupporting Military Families with Children, at: http://wfnetwork.bc.edu/pdfs/policy_makers15.pdf . The brief highlights states that have introduced legislation to support parents who serve in the military and their children. In addition, the brief summarizes research on some unique challenges faced by military families, including frequent moves, family separation, disruption in schooling, and the risk of injury or death of military personnel. The brief also underscores how supports can benefit the military, military families, and the public.
D. Good Reading
The Maternal is Political: Women Writers at the Intersection of Motherhood and Social Change, edited by Shari MacDonald Strong (Seal Press, 2008). A timely collection of essays from a range of writers on mothers, mothering, and motherhood and the politics of it all! Contributors include Anne Lamott, Anna Quindlen, the late Benazir Bhutto, Rebecca Walker, Barbara Kingsolver, Susie Bright, Nancy Pelosi, Judith Stadtman Tucker, Jennifer Niesslein, Stephanie Wilkinson, with a foreword by Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner. A real joy to see all these authors in one book.
A Dozen Invisible Pieces and Other Confessions of Motherhood, by Kimmelin Hull (Cold Tree Press, 2008). A look at the joys, trials and occasional indignities of raising young children. Hull, a former physician assistant and current childbirth educator and freelance writer, ushers her readers in and out of her life of career changes, medical and behavioral challenges in her children, difficult pregnancies and ultimately the rise to a place of peace and perseverance. Its a book written by a mother, for mothers.