Republicans look to defund Maines new paid leave program [Video]

A Republican lawmaker has submitted a bill to block a new payroll tax set to take effect next month to pay for Maine’s mandatory paid family and medical leave program, approved by the Democratic-controlled Legislature with much fanfare last session.

Workers and businesses with 15 or more employees will begin splitting the cost of a new 1% payroll tax starting Jan. 1. Paid leave benefits will not become available until May 1, 2026, to allow time for the state to build up a fund to cover workers’ claims. Businesses with fewer than 15 workers will not have to pay into the system, but their employees will.

Rep. Joshua Morris, R-Turner, said in a news release Monday that Maine families and employers cannot afford any new taxes. Instead, lawmakers should lower the cost of living “as quickly as possible” by defunding the program, he said. He is introducing the measure as …