The proposal was approved 11-4
PITTSBURGH —
Allegheny County Council voted to pass its paid parental leave law Tuesday night.
The proposal passed after hours of public comment. Over 70 people signed up to speak at Tuesday night’s meeting, both urging council members to support and shut down the proposal.
The policy will require businesses with 15 or more eligible employees to provide at least 12 weeks of paid leave to both parents. Full- or part-time employees would need to work for at least six months or 625 hours to qualify.
Who Voted For and Against
Voting for the mandate were Council President Michelle Naccarati-Chapkis, D-Plum; Vice President John Palmiere, D-Baldwin; Lissa Geiger Shulman, D-Hampton; Paul Klein, D-Pittsburgh; Jordan Botta, D-Bloomfield; Kathleen Madonna-Emmerling, D-Moon Township; Bob Palmosina, D-Pittsburgh; DeWitt Walton, D-Hill District; Grzybek and at-large members Bethany Hallam and Alex Rose.
Voting against the proposal were Nick Futules, D-Verona; Suzanne Filiaggi, R-Franklin Park; Aaron Adams, D-Duquesne; and Pat Catena, D-Carnegie.
Hours of Public Comment
The majority of citizens who spoke were in favor of the proposal. Dozens of supporters have been showing up to meetings for months and say this approval supports families and addresses critical health and workforce issues.
“This is going to make real, tangible improvements not only for the physical and mental well-being of families and infants, but I think in the long run, it is going to improve our economy as well,” said Lucy Ruccio, a nurse practitioner at Magee Women’s Hospital and new mother.
At the same time, many small business owners say this will have detrimental effects on business in the County. They, and the four councilmembers who voted against the measure, would prefer a statewide law.
“I think that the way to do it would be a statewide law which would involve something akin to like an unemployment compensation, where an employer and employee pay into a fund. And, when somebody qualifies, they can take back out of it. I mean, this is supposedly a public good. Why not have, you know, the public as a whole paying for it, not just our employers?” said business owner John Graf.
County Executive Responds
In a statement from County Executive Sara Innamorato, she said,”I want to thank County Council for taking a bold step tonight and putting the health of Allegheny County’s families first. By passing the first county-level Paid Parental Leave policy in the country, we’re showing that we’re serious about protecting workers and their families at one of the most economically and medically vulnerable times in their lives.
She continued, saying, “Together, we can make Allegheny County the best place to raise a family and grow our economy by embracing policies like this one that deliver shared prosperity and better health for all.”
The policy will now head to the county executive’s desk for final approval. The policy would go into effect one year after it is signed.
This story is developing. Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 is working to learn the latest information and will bring it to you as it becomes available.