State Rep. Rebecca Dow said that while there is bipartisan support for paid family medical leave, the proposal is New Mexico's “largest tax increase since statehood” and would result in mandatory paycheck deductions, inflation, and higher costs for consumers.  Dow was a guest on a recent episode of the Tipping Point New Mexico podcast.

"It's not that there isn't bipartisan support for some form of paid family medical leave, especially when it comes to maternity leave," said Dow on the Tipping Point New Mexico podcast. “But this is one of the broadest proposals and, first of all, it's New Mexico's largest tax increase since statehood. They want to call it a new entitlement program, but it is a mandatory deduction from your paycheck. You don't want to call it a tax? Fine. I call it a tax.”

“You're going to get to keep less of your money, and your employer is going to have a newly added deduction as well,” said Dow. “This is going to cause inflation. It will cost consumers more and drive up the cost of goods.”

The Paid Family and Medical Leave Act establishes a program to provide paid leave for employees to bond with a new child, care for a family member, handle military deployment, or address certain forms of violence. Beginning January 1, 2028, eligible applicants who have filed an approved claim and made the required contributions will receive compensation for the leave under the program.

Dow represents Grant, Hidalgo, and Sierra counties as a Republican politician. She previously served as a state representative before reclaiming her seat in House District 38 in 2024. 

Tipping Point New Mexico is a podcast hosted by Paul Gessing and Wally Drangmeister of the Rio Grande Foundation, focusing on public policy issues in New Mexico. The podcast is a project of the Rio Grande Foundation.
This full episode is available on the Tipping Point New Mexico website and YouTube.