Westbrook, MAINE - Today, Maine Democratic Party Chairman Phil Bartlett issued the following statement in response to House Republicans’ nearly-unanimous rejection of a bill by Democratic Representative Erin Herbig that would have commissioned a study at the University of Maine to examine paid family leave:
“Democrats understand how valuable and important paid leave could be when it comes supporting Maine families, and that’s exactly why Representative Herbig introduced legislation that would commission a study of it.
“Why Ken Fredette and House Republicans think paid family leave isn’t at least worth studying is beyond belief, but what their rejection of this bill says to me is that Republicans simply aren’t interested in examining ways to improve the lives of hard-working Maine families.
“While Maine Republicans fight to restrict access to health coverage, increase health care costs, shred Maine’s social safety net programs, and give tax breaks to the wealthy among us, Maine Democrats will continue to fight to prioritize every day, working Maine people.”
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