Poll Indicates Support For Paid Leave In Del., But Concerns Remain

Supporters of a bill that would require paid that paid family and medical leave be offered in Delaware said Wednesday that a new poll finds overwhelming support for it.
According to the Delaware Cares Coalition for Paid Leave, the survey was conduced by Change Research last month of what it called a representative sample of 552 voters.
At about the time the poll was released Wednesday, Representative Steve Smyk, R- Lewes-Milton, was talking about the bill that would make Delaware the 10th state with a paid leave program with WGMD’s Mike Bradley. Smyk said it could be another burden on business.

“Rehoboth enjoys a whole lot of commerce on that avenue. Georgetown has a street that they would like to be more vibrant. It would be more difficult to even get anything started,” Smyk said.

State Senate Minority Whip Brian Pettyjohn, R- Georgetown, said the state has been having issues when both members of a couple who may be employed by the same institution – such as a school – take time off simultaneously for family and medical leave.
According to the coalition, the survey found 83-percent support in Sussex County for a paid leave program, and 85-percent statewide were in favor.

“This poll confirms what we’ve known all along: no matter your political party, Delawareans believe no one should lose their livelihood because they need to take time to care for themselves or a loved one,” Delaware Cares Coalition for Paid Leave Director Liz Richards said. “Paid family and medical leave is the bridge to the future we need to build for Delaware families, who are demanding action. It’s time to pass the Healthy Delaware Families Act without delay.” 

Senate Bill 1 has been introduced in the Delaware General Assembly.

According to a statement from the coalition regarding the poll:

Voters’ support for paid leave was not only strong, but firm. Even after voters read multiple arguments against a paid leave program and were told they’d have to support it through a payroll contribution deducted from their pay, the vast majority of voters still support the proposal (77% support), including majorities of Democrats, Republicans, and Independents.