PASSED
in the State House of Representatives
on May 3, 2017, by a vote of
88-58
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Purpose: To create a new, mandated, state-run insurance program (similar to unemployment insurance), funded by a payroll tax on employees, that would allow employees to take up to six weeks of paid leave to care for a new child or sick family member.
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Analysis: H.196 levies a new payroll tax on Vermont employees to create a new “family leave” program that would be administered similarly to unemployment insurance. The language in the bill sets the payroll tax at 0.141% of one’s first $150,ooo of income, but acknowledges that if revenue necessary to fund demand the program is not met by that rate, the rate will rise to meet demand.
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The benefits of the program would include up to six-weeks of paid leave from work up to 80% of full salary or $1000 per week, whichever is less. These benefits would become available after one year of employment and contributing to the program.
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Those voting NO on H.196 argued the bill would create another administrative burden on small businesses, take money out of the pockets of Vermont employees when affordability is already an issue, and that the tax rate set is probably going to balloon as large numbers of employees start taking advantage of a program that they are being forced to pay into. A majority of Vermont businesses already offer some form of paid leave, either formal or informal, and those that don’t, for the most part, genuinely can’t afford to do so.
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Those voting YES on H.196 think that the added administrative costs to businesses is not significant, and the benefits to employees who have new children or sick family members outweigh the costs levied on all employees.
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“Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron’s cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience. They may be more likely to go to Heaven yet at the same time likelier to make a Hell of earth. This very kindness stings with intolerable insult. To be “cured” against one’s will and cured of states which we may not regard as disease is to be put on a level of those who have not yet reached the age of reason or those who never will; to be classed with infants, imbeciles, and domestic animals.”
― C.S. Lewis.
These small tax levies will continue to eat away at my income. I make a great salary if I lived in PA or VA! I love Vermont and this along with apprised Carbon Tax is going to force me to move out of state. If I stay I can take advantage of smoking weed and not feel the pain of being screwed!!!!