Every Virginian deserves respect for their hard work and the time to parent or care for a loved one

Progress Virginia today acknowledged House Republican Leader Kirk Cox‘s public step forward on parental leave while simultaneously calling for more comprehensive action for Virginia families. This afternoon Cox announced his intention to implement a parental leave policy for full-time employees of the House of Delegates should he assume the Speakership, while voicing vague support for potential legislation to expand benefits for state employees. Per his statement, however, Cox‘s commitment falls short of a comprehensive paid family and medical leave program that would not only support employees welcoming a new child to their family, but also support workers who must take leave to care for an ill or aging family member or in the case of catastrophic illness.

“While Delegate Cox‘s interest in parenting leave for employees of the House of Delegates is certainly a step in the right direction, as aspiring Speaker Cox owes the families of Virginia a far greater commitment,” said Progress Virginia executive director Anna Scholl. “Any policy that fails to provide leave for dedicated workers to care for an ill or aging family member or for the occasion of catastrophic illness is simply incomplete. While Cox‘s commitment to employees of the House of Delegates is laudable, it fails to support the hundreds of thousands of Virginia families who struggle to balance family and work in these instances. His openness to considering additional leave benefits for state employees similarly leaves out many dedicated public servants, such as public school teachers. Virginia families need and deserve a comprehensive paid family and medical leave program that respects the hard work families put in every day. We at Progress Virginia look forward to supporting such proposals in the 2018 General Assembly session.”