Governor Gretchen Whitmer is prioritizing paid family and medical leave for Michigan residents, drawing inspiration from other states like Minnesota. Why it matters: As one of the few nations without a universal paid leave policy, the U.S. has states wrestling with how to implement this essential support. The Stats: Roughly 80% of Michigan workers don’t have access to paid family and medical leave. In 2020, Whitmer initiated 12 weeks of paid parental leave for state workers, benefiting over 3,500 state employees. Federal policies already demand larger employers to offer 12 weeks of paid leave. Looking for Blueprints: Senator Erika Geiss