SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Gov. Newsom and the California Legislature announced an agreement to provide two weeks of COVID-19 supplemental paid sick leave to California workers through Sept. 30, 2022.
"Throughout this pandemic, we have come together to address the immediate impacts COVID-19 continues to have on millions of California families, both at home and at work," Newsom said.
The original COVID-19 supplemental paid sick leave expired on Oct. 1, 2021.
By providing two weeks of COVID-19 supplemental paid sick leave, Newsom hopes the state can help protect the health of California workers while ensuring that businesses and the economy are able to thrive. According to the press release, the state will continue to work to address the needs of small businesses through the budget as businesses have continued to be severely impacted by the pandemic.
"Early budget actions will also include restoring business tax credits, including research and development credits and net operating losses, that were limited during the COVID-19 Recession; tax relief for recipients of federal relief grants for restaurants and shuttered venues; and additional funding for the Small Business Covid-19 Relief Grant Program," Newsom said in the release.
According to the Service Employees International Union of California (SIEU), this agreement came as a result of workers coming together, demanding the state recognize the benefits of enacting COVID-19 supplemental paid sick leave.
"When workers speak out and stand up for our rights, everyone benefits," Bob Schoonover President of SEIU California said.
Steve Smith, the Communications Director for the California Labor Federation, says this agreement shows that Gov. Newsom and the California Legislature have heard the concerns of workers.
"The fact that the governor and legislative leadership came to an agreement today brings a sigh of relief to all of us," Smith told ABC10 in an interview. "It shows that they are acting with urgency to get this done."
According to the California Labor Federation, the State Senate and Assembly are expected to vote on this before it goes to Gov. Newson's desk for a final signature.
"We’re hoping that the senate and assembly takes a vote early next week and the governor signs the legislation shortly thereafter," Smith said. "We want workers to have those protections to help them get through this horrible surge that we’re seeing right now."
