While seasonal and summer employment has helped alleviate the shortage of jobs in the tourist areas of the state, most Mainers in the other parts of our state are still struggling to make ends meet.

Thanks to the efforts of Sen Susan Collins, many individuals and small businesses have been able to hang on during this difficult time. Her PPP program coupled with the relief efforts passed by Congress and continued unemployment benefits have been the saving grace for many Mainers.

During the past year, several residents have had to adjust their work schedules to care for a loved one who became sick with the virus or for children whose schools had closed. In some instances, they had to choose between their paycheck and providing this care since many companies in Maine are not currently able to offer comprehensive medical leave. Instead they were forced to take unpaid leave or stop work altogether. No one in Maine — or in our country — should have to face something like this.

Earlier this year, President Biden proposed a paid leave policy that would guarantee 12 weeks of paid leave for caregivers who need to take time off of work to care for their family members. Ten states have already passed paid family and medical leave programs, but 80% of U.S. employees still do not have access to paid family and medical leave through their employers.

The pandemic has certainly magnified the need for this measure. My wife and I just welcomed our second child and we were fortunate to have paid time off to care for our newborn. Unfortunately, not everyone is afforded the same opportunity.

Paid leave is a bipartisan issue and I would encourage Sen. Collins and her colleagues to seriously look at implementing measures that would provide a permanent solution.

Ben Grant

Waterville