Today, Representatives Sánchez joined his colleagues in the House to pass legislation creating the most generous paid family and medical leave policy in the country, the highest minimum wage at $15, and an annual sales tax holiday.
In Massachusetts, 1.2 million workers risk losing their jobs if they take time off work under current laws. Paid family and medical leave will allow workers to take time off to care for a sick loved one, a newborn child, or to recover from their own illness, with the guarantee they can return to their job.
Thousands of hard-working individuals log long hours, but still struggle to pay rent or put food on the table. This $15 minimum wage will give a pay raise to over 1,000,000 workers across Massachusetts.
On July 1, our gender pay equity law went into effect. With paid leave, mothers will be able to take time to nurture their newborn child with the guarantee of returning to the same job and salary, furthering our efforts to close the gender wage gap.
Our agreement to institute an annual sales tax holiday and phase out premium pay for retail workers prevented the sales tax reduction ballot question from moving forward this November, which could have cost the state $1.5 billion. This means revenue can continue funding education, transportation, healthcare, housing, and other key programs.
Representative Sánchez is committed to Massachusetts’ workers. These policies will empower people throughout Massachusetts to keep our workers, families, and economy strong.
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