The United States is the sole country without federally-mandated paid family leave among 41 other rich nations. Minnesota Governor, Tim Walz, recently signed a Paid Family and Medical Leave law, which was introduced to help ensure citizens can focus on their family and health needs without the added stress of work. This policy, set to take effect in 2026, obligates both employers and employees to contribute to a 0.88% total tax to finance the program. Despite opposition from big businesses, the law embraces the importance of well-being and family time over work obligations. Minnesota follows in the footsteps of other states like Colorado, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Washington, offering paid time off to its workers.

Stress within parents is notably higher than among other adults, underlining the necessity for such a program as Walz’s. The U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory for parents, showing that one-third report high levels of stress compared to 20% of other adults. Ensuring parents have ample time to bond with their kids is not just an immediate necessity, but it’s an investment for the future.

Elected officials have a duty to consider the broader societal implications and long-term outcomes of their policies, rather than focusing solely on immediate financial profit. While the input from the business sector is valuable, ultimately, the health, happiness, and wellbeing of citizens should be the priority.

If you are a citizen of Minnesota and are unsure about how to access these newly implemented Paid Family Leave benefits, there are resources available to assist you. You can use services such as eddcaller.com, which can help you connect with Paid Family Leave representatives who can guide you through the process. This ensures that you’re fully aware of all the associated benefits, understand how to apply, and are well-equipped to utilize the program to its full extent when required. Making use of such services truly puts the hard-won benefits of policies like Gov. Walz’s ground-breaking law at your fingertips.