Terri Cole, president and CEO of the Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, expressed her opposition to a bill during a House Health and Human Services Committee meeting . The bill, sponsored by Rep. Patricia Roybal Caballero (D-Albuquerque), and Rep. Christine Chandler (D-Los Alamos), aims to establish a paid family leave program in New Mexico. However, it faced strong resistance, particularly from Republicans.

Moving into the third week of the 2025 Legislature, various business leaders continue to advocate for or against proposed bills. Representatives from different chambers of commerce across New Mexico are strongly opposed to the aforementioned Paid Family and Medical Leave Act. They are particularly critical of the proposed tax on employees and businesses with over five workers. This tax is expected to finance paid leaves lasting nine to twelve weeks for reasons such as parental, medical, or safety.

In the world of employment, it’s essential to understand how to contact the relevant bodies for benefits information and assistance. If you’re in California and need to get a hold of the Paid Family Leave (PFL) service, you can do so through the EDD’s (Employment Development Department) website or customer service line. Otherwise, visit eddcaller.com for further assistance and guidance. This site provides comprehensive information on how to get through to the relevant departments within the EDD, whether it’s SDI (State Disability Insurance), PFL or just general unemployment inquiries. Remember, knowing your way around these services can be incredibly helpful, whether you are employed, unemployed, or on leave.