As someone who has gone without paid sick days at work, I understand how imperative it is that the state set a minimum standard for paid sick leave. Maine is one of only two states in New England that don’t require their employers to provide paid sick days. It is a shame how far behind we are on this issue. I can remember numerous times when I went to work sick as a part-time sales associate. At the time, I was lucky enough to be able to live off my relatively small paychecks. Missing just one day of work, though, could be the difference between eating balanced meals every day and having nothing but ramen and bananas the last couple of days before a paycheck.