Ned Lamont on Families & Children Democratic Challenger

Proposed 12 weeks paid family leave from 1/2% payroll tax

"What I have said is I don't want to rule anything out," he said. "I like to do progressive things in a conservative way that you can count on."

Paid time off to new parents and caregivers

The state house passed the bill Friday, 79-69, with all but eight Democrats voting in favor. The Democratically controlled Senate passed the bill more than a week ago.

If signed, then starting in 2021, workers in Connecticut would get 12 weeks off to care for a new baby, a seriously ill family member or loved one or to deal with their own illness. The benefit will be funded by a payroll tax on workers of 0.5 percent. Benefits will cover 95 percent of low-wage workers' pay up to $900 a week, the most generous level of wage replacement in the country.

"We all agreed on the need to pass this landmark support for working families so they don't have to choose between the job they need and the family they love, or their own health," Lamont said in a statement Friday.