I am disappointed that Gov. Chris Sununu vetoed HB 731 which would have set NH’s minimum wage at $10/hour in 2021, increasing to $12/hour in 2023. NH has no minimum wage so uses the Federal rate of $7.25/hour set in 2009. For readers who think in annual salaries, $7.25/hour at 40 hours/week, 52 weeks/year is $15,080 which is below a living wage in NH for a single person with no children. A better gauge compares NH to our New England neighboring states who all offer minimum wages of $10 or more today.

Presumably, the veto was a response to pressure from businesses who claim they will go bankrupt if labor costs increase. If high material costs result in a product price that is too high for customers, the company’s business model is a failure and they go out of business. Labor is slightly different as we depend upon the government to set a ‘floor’ labor wage that allows citizens some small measure of security for their work. Isn’t Gov. Sununu propping up failed businesses that would go bankrupt if obligated to pay labor costs that are closer to actual living expenses? Our neighboring states do not offer their businesses such a government hand-out. We need a governor who will work for Granite Staters and not prop up failed businesses, and that’s not Sununu.