Paid family leave is well known to be a popular idea among New York City Democrats, but an increasing number of Republicans here also support it, with a significant number “strongly” in favor of such a policy, according to a new poll.

Democrats saying they “strongly support” paid family leave increased to 81% in 2015 from 74% in 2014, according to the Community Service Society‘s annual “Unheard Third” survey. But the gain was far greater among Republicans, with the portion who “strongly” support it rising to 58% in 2015 from 45% in 2014. Folding in less enthusiastic backers, support among Republicans went from 65% to 74%.

To be sure, the number of Republicans surveyed this year was minuscule, just 229, indicative of New York’s small number of GOP members, so random fluctuation could account for some of the increase. But the rise in support among non-GOP voters shows it probably was not a fluke. The survey of 1,705 city residents was conducted July 19 through Aug. 17 and has a margin of error of +/-2.75%. The policy would require employers to allow their workers time off to care for a newborn or sick loved one.

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Jeffrey R. Ungvary President