Ant Thornton, senator for New Mexico's 19th State Senate District, announced the defeat of the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act as "absolutely a big win for New Mexico citizens!" This statement was made in a March 16 post on X.
"https://x.com/ThorntonforNM/status/1901288906764558742," said Thornton, State Senator.
The committee substitute for House Bill 11 introduces the Welcome Child and Family Wellness Leave Act, creating the Family Wellness Leave Fund. This fund aims to provide eligible applicants with a percentage of their wages to take family wellness leave. It also establishes the Welcome Child Fund, offering a refund to eligible applicants upon the birth or adoption of a child, allowing them time off to bond. The bill specifies that from January 1, 2027, to January 1, 2030, employers with five or more employees would contribute 0.15% of each participating employee’s wages up to an earnings cap. In 2030, this contribution would increase to cover 100% of each participating employee’s wages up to the earnings cap.
According to KRQE, the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act stalled in the Senate Finance Committee on March 15 and will not advance further in this legislative session. In its final committee review before potentially reaching the Senate floor for a vote, the bill failed with an 8-3 decision. A joint statement from Senate Republicans said that stopping the bill was a top priority and that common sense prevailed that day. The statement added that House Bill 11 and other progressive Democrat policies could have harmed the state’s economy and discouraged economic development within New Mexico. Democrats also issued a statement indicating that changes such as reducing medical leave to six weeks and restructuring the Welcome Child Fund rendered the bill "not the right solution."
After passing through the New Mexico House in early March, according to the New Mexico Sun, the New Mexico Business Coalition highlighted aspects of the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act. The act proposed providing six weeks of paid leave for medical reasons and twelve weeks for childbirth or adoption. It also included paying parents $9,000 per child at birth or adoption and projected costs of $183 million annually. Furthermore, it would have imposed taxes on both employers and employees starting in 2027 while benefits were scheduled to begin in 2028.
Anthony "Ant" Thornton is identified as a Republican aerospace engineer from Bernalillo County who was elected in 2024 to represent Senate District 19 after Dr. Gregg Schmedes. His campaign focused on technological innovation and economic diversification. Thornton has been acknowledged for his contributions to both aerospace industry advancements and community involvement.
