The state Senate voted to approve the Paid Family Medical Leave bill Wednesday despite Gov. Ned Lamont's threat to veto it.

The bill would provide up to three months of a worker's salary if they, or a family member, gets sick.

The bill was passed by a vote of 21-15. One Democrat, Sen. Joan Hartley, voted no.

But it would also cost taxpayers half a percent more out of every paycheck.

The business community says it would encourage workers to abuse sick time because they are getting paid anyway and argue it could cripple a small business.

There are also concerns that the tax withholding will go up beyond the .5% per paycheck.

In a statement Lamont said, "My commitment to enacting paid family and medical leave has never wavered. I know how important it is to hold onto your best employees while they care for their family or themselves. This program will make Connecticut more attractive to young workers and those with families, and it's the right thing to do. However, at the same time that we are trying to streamline state government to make it more efficient for our residents and businesses, we should not tie the hands of the quasi-public agency that will have to oversee and implement what is essentially a $400 million dollar start-up company. The families waiting for these vital benefits cannot afford another healthcare.gov. We need to make sure this program is solvent, efficiently administered and nimble enough to adapt and adjust as needed, particularly in its first few, crucial years."

The bill will now go to the House.

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