Obama renews push for paid leave for working parents

BALTIMORE (AP) — President Barack Obama today renewed his push for paid leave for parents and other workers, saying he's astonished that so many people don't get paid sick leave.

"How can we support working families so they have the tools to succeed in this new economy?" Obama said at a Baltimore cafe that offers earned sick leave to its small workforce. He and Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., had just discussed balancing work and family with a group of women.

Obama said the issue transcends demographics and geography. "We really can do something about it," he said.

The White House said this week that Obama will make a new push on the issue, beginning with the State of Union address he delivers Tuesday night.

Obama will call on Congress, states and cities to pass measures to allow tens of millions of workers to earn up to a week of paid sick time a year. He'll also ask Congress for more than $2 billion to encourage states to create paid family and medical leave programs.