Prop. 118 would create family, medical leave insurance plan

A citizen-based initiative on the November general election ballot in Colorado would create an insurance plan that would pay workers when they are unable to be at their regular jobs because of personal or family reasons.

The initiative builds on the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, which provides unpaid time off during family and health emergencies.

If passed, the plan’s critics say, it would create a new tax on workers and businesses and set up a new unit of government that would not be subject to the same checks and balances as other governmental agencies.