Launch 'The Breadwinner Act' pilot program in Allen County
The Issue
Every year, Indiana families forfeit an estimated 262,000 necessary family and medical leaves because they simply cannot afford to take unpaid time off. Under the outdated 1993 federal FMLA, family leave remains an unaffordable luxury for 64% of working Hoosiers, resulting in $1.2 billion in lost wages annually.
The consequences of this unpaid system hit closest to home right here in Fort Wayne. Local research reveals a startling reality: 43% of surveyed mothers in Allen County are forced to return to work less than 8 weeks postpartum due strictly to financial necessity. Forcing new parents back to work in as little as two to four weeks disrupts vital infant development and maternal recovery during a critical health window. This status quo is directly tied to Indiana ranking among the worst states in the nation for infant and maternal mortality.
We can fix this without hurting our local economy or placing mandates on small businesses.
We are petitioning Representative Martin Carbaugh and Indiana legislative leadership to sponsor and enact The Breadwinner Act Pilot Program—a 24-month, voluntary, tax-credited framework designed to run right here in Allen County.
The Breadwinner Act will:
Provide a 12-Week Subsidized Living Wage: Replaces unpaid leave with temporary household maintenance support for a household’s primary earner.
Protect Local Employers: It is 100% voluntary. Small businesses face no direct overhead costs and are reimbursed dollar-for-dollar through state corporate income tax credits.
Stop Leave Abuse: Enforces strict anti-stacking guardrails and a mandatory 30-day return-to-work requirement before any elective vacation time or accrued PTO can be used.
Save Taxpayer Dollars: Vetted economic models (NBER) prove that every $1,000 front-end investment generates over $20,000 in long-term net social benefits, including a direct $906 reduction in public healthcare costs per participant.
Our families shouldn't have to choose between financial survival and the health of a newborn child. Let's make Allen County the blueprint for a stronger workforce and healthier families.
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The Issue
Every year, Indiana families forfeit an estimated 262,000 necessary family and medical leaves because they simply cannot afford to take unpaid time off. Under the outdated 1993 federal FMLA, family leave remains an unaffordable luxury for 64% of working Hoosiers, resulting in $1.2 billion in lost wages annually.
The consequences of this unpaid system hit closest to home right here in Fort Wayne. Local research reveals a startling reality: 43% of surveyed mothers in Allen County are forced to return to work less than 8 weeks postpartum due strictly to financial necessity. Forcing new parents back to work in as little as two to four weeks disrupts vital infant development and maternal recovery during a critical health window. This status quo is directly tied to Indiana ranking among the worst states in the nation for infant and maternal mortality.
We can fix this without hurting our local economy or placing mandates on small businesses.
We are petitioning Representative Martin Carbaugh and Indiana legislative leadership to sponsor and enact The Breadwinner Act Pilot Program—a 24-month, voluntary, tax-credited framework designed to run right here in Allen County.
The Breadwinner Act will:
Provide a 12-Week Subsidized Living Wage: Replaces unpaid leave with temporary household maintenance support for a household’s primary earner.
Protect Local Employers: It is 100% voluntary. Small businesses face no direct overhead costs and are reimbursed dollar-for-dollar through state corporate income tax credits.
Stop Leave Abuse: Enforces strict anti-stacking guardrails and a mandatory 30-day return-to-work requirement before any elective vacation time or accrued PTO can be used.
Save Taxpayer Dollars: Vetted economic models (NBER) prove that every $1,000 front-end investment generates over $20,000 in long-term net social benefits, including a direct $906 reduction in public healthcare costs per participant.
Our families shouldn't have to choose between financial survival and the health of a newborn child. Let's make Allen County the blueprint for a stronger workforce and healthier families.
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on July 2, 2026