For business policy enthusiasts, one new tidbit from tonight's gubernatorial debate at AWB's Policy Summit: Governor Gregoire's indication that the state would suspend its so-far unfunded, unimplemented, second-in-the-country paid family leave program in the face of looming budget problems.
Rich Roessler at the Spokesman reported "Gregoire also said Thursday that the state will not be funding a paid family leave program for new parents, at least for now." The AP's Curt Woodward also noted the Governor "revealed she had suspended plans to roll out a paid family leave program, a priority for Democratic lawmakers."
For those of us following the issue, that was news. But the pledge to "suspend" the program needs some more fleshing out. It's now state law that beginning October 1, 2009, benefits are payable to eligible individuals on a qualifying paid family leave. If that entitlement remains on the books unamended or unrepealed, presumably a class of individuals will have a legal claim against the state for benefits starting in October.
So "suspending" the program isn't something that can be accomplished merely by not funding it in the budget -- although that's a start. It'll take a bill to amend or repeal the effectiveness date from the original 2007 legislation. So really, it's the Legislature that will decide whether or not to suspend the program. But faced with no viable source of funds for its benefits or administration, that's a responsible plan.
