Most of America's parents are single working persons, and the mandatory paid family leave program, already influential in many states, can help counter many problems.

To provide and care for a sick family member or after the birth of a child, the House plans to provide two or three months of paid leave respectively. This would be financed from a payroll tax, between two-tenths and five-tenths of 1%. Admittedly, the program's cost is expensive, but the benefit is well worth the hassle.

The honest debate is whether this bill would be passed as a voluntary or mandatory program, with House Speaker Mitzi Johnson and Republican Governor Phil Scott on opposing sides. Scott argued, "A paid family leave program would be helpful however, I just think it should be voluntary." On the contrary, Johnson says, "We want to make sure that it is a shared responsibility and it's affordable."

According to Scott, people should be able to decide whether they want to pay for a program they may or may not use. The package fee would be from their payroll tax, so opting out of the program does mean that individuals would no longer be required to pay the tax. This option curries favor with those who oppose it.

There is also a concern that some might not be able to afford it, and forcing an additional tax on them, regardless of whether they would utilize the program or not, seems unnecessary to Scott.

The best way to subsidize the paid leave program is to divide it equally amongst all eligible, regardless of whether they need it or not. If, for instance, Scott's idea is considered and the bill is passed as voluntary instead of mandatory, it will only create a negative impact.

People will no longer be interested in the program, and no one wants to pay an optional tax. There are additional consequential effects as well, which would be apparent when people don't participate, and premiums become even higher, creating a negative spiral that would kill the program or any hope of one in the future.

Despite building a good argument, Governor Scott's plan for voluntary paid leave was rejected by Democrats, and it remains to be seen if he will push back and what type of bill finally gets passed. Whether voluntary or mandatory, it will benefit the state of Vermont.