To Maine policymakers:

Workers are the backbone of our businesses. Whether we employ hundreds of workers, or just ourselves, we succeed due to the hard work of Maine people. We support the creation of a Paid Family and Medical Leave program in Maine, not only to help Maine workers live happier and healthier lives, but to help Maine businesses become stronger and more sustainable.

Workers in Maine can get access to benefits that will protect them if they need to take time off for medical care, for the birth of a child, or to take care of a family member.

Paid Family and Medical Leave is good public policy that we – small businesses and large companies alike – are proud to support.

The Maine legislature has created a commission tasked with developing a Paid Family and Medical Leave program for Maine. The commission represents voices in the legislature, small business owners, and experts in the fields of family and medical care to create a Maine-specific solution for paid family and medical leave.

We believe that a universal Paid Family and Medical Leave program would make our state more competitive for employers, level the playing field for small businesses that are competing for employees, support our state’s many entrepreneurs and self-employed workers, and help to attract new residents to Maine.

We support the commission in recommending a strong Paid Family and Medical Leave program that works for Maine’s small businesses and large companies alike.

Mainers should not have to choose between taking care of themselves or their loved ones and making ends meet. Paid Family and Medical Leave will allow our employees to live a better life by helping them balance work and family responsibilities.