ST. PAUL – Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson (R- East Grand Forks) released the following statement on the recent actuarial study for the state’s paid leave program.

“The Democrats ‘un-paid’ leave plan is more expensive than expected before it’s even been implemented. The actuarial study, which was something Republicans pushed for to have clarity on the actual costs, shows the plan will need at least $630 million more than expected, and the tax rate needs to be 31% higher than Democrats said. 

“This one-size-fits-all approach is costly to employers, employees, and taxpayers. Senate Republicans proposed an affordable, flexible paid leave program without tax increases and without a massive, 400-person government bureaucracy.”