On Saturday, Gov. Chris Sununu told a crowd outside the State House about a “small group of paid volunteers” who held a rally and then came to his office to share the challenges they have faced, in support of paid family and medical leave. He called these passionate stories “funny.” He was not there, not present at his office or even at the State House.
That is how Gov. Sununu described 150 Granite Staters who took time out of their day on March 26 to come to the State House and tell their heartbreaking stories. Sununu should know there is nothing funny about wanting to be with your critically ill child, or your parent who is dying, or your family member who is suffering from addiction or your new baby, needing caregiving time away from work.
Caregiving is not a “vacation,” as he has described it. Will our governor use his veto to defeat paid family leave when it is supported by 82 percent of N.H. residents, over 100 businesses large and small, and has advanced through the Senate and through the House by a strong bipartisan vote? Governor, it is time for you to listen to the people of New Hampshire and your Legislature. We are asking you to sign a bill to provide critical time for us to care for ourselves and loved ones.
OGE YOUNG
Concord
(The writer is a retired obstetrician/gynecologist and past president of the New Hampshire Medical Society.)