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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsHow One State Plans To Wipe Out Sexism At Work In A Single Bill
Source: Think Progress
On Thursday, Minnesota state lawmakers unveiled the Womens Economic Security Act of 2014, a legislative package designed to break down barriers to economic progress facing women and all Minnesotans, according to the release. Among the pieces of the package are paid sick leave, a raise in the minimum wage to $9.50, and expanding access to high-quality, affordable childcare.
The Womens Economic Security Act aims to break down barriers to economic progress so that women and all Minnesotans have a fair opportunity to succeed, Paul Thissen (D), speaker of the Minnesota House, said of the package. It also includes other measures aimed a helping working women. Private companies contracted by the state would be required to report on pay equity among their workers. The states Parental Leave Act, which guarantees workers six unpaid weeks off for the arrival of a new child, would be expanded. It would encourage women to enter non-traditional, high-wage occupations and boost small businesses owned by women. And it would bolster existing protections for victims of domestic violence. State Sen. Sandy Pappas (D) and Rep. Carly Melin (D) will be the chief authors of the package.
While other states are working on legislation similar to different pieces of the package, putting them all together is less common but starting to come into vogue. A group of state Senators in Nebraska put forward a package last week similar to Minnesotas, which included a minimum wage raise to $9, paid sick leave, paid family leave, and an expansion of the states Earned Income Tax Credit for low-income families. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) put forward a Womens Equality Agenda last year that combined protections for pregnant workers, a ban on salary secrecy, and an expansion of womens access to abortion.
Federal lawmakers have similarly taken a comprehensive approach to womens equality. Reps. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) outlined their When Women Succeed, America Succeeds agenda in July, which brings together universal childcare, a minimum wage increase, paid sick leave, and the Paycheck Fairness Act. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) outlined a five-point American Opportunity Plan that includes paid family leave, raising the minimum wage, affordable childcare, and the Paycheck Fairness Act.
The Womens Economic Security Act aims to break down barriers to economic progress so that women and all Minnesotans have a fair opportunity to succeed, Paul Thissen (D), speaker of the Minnesota House, said of the package. It also includes other measures aimed a helping working women. Private companies contracted by the state would be required to report on pay equity among their workers. The states Parental Leave Act, which guarantees workers six unpaid weeks off for the arrival of a new child, would be expanded. It would encourage women to enter non-traditional, high-wage occupations and boost small businesses owned by women. And it would bolster existing protections for victims of domestic violence. State Sen. Sandy Pappas (D) and Rep. Carly Melin (D) will be the chief authors of the package.
While other states are working on legislation similar to different pieces of the package, putting them all together is less common but starting to come into vogue. A group of state Senators in Nebraska put forward a package last week similar to Minnesotas, which included a minimum wage raise to $9, paid sick leave, paid family leave, and an expansion of the states Earned Income Tax Credit for low-income families. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) put forward a Womens Equality Agenda last year that combined protections for pregnant workers, a ban on salary secrecy, and an expansion of womens access to abortion.
Federal lawmakers have similarly taken a comprehensive approach to womens equality. Reps. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) outlined their When Women Succeed, America Succeeds agenda in July, which brings together universal childcare, a minimum wage increase, paid sick leave, and the Paycheck Fairness Act. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) outlined a five-point American Opportunity Plan that includes paid family leave, raising the minimum wage, affordable childcare, and the Paycheck Fairness Act.
Read more: http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2014/01/31/3231891/minnesota-women-package/
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How One State Plans To Wipe Out Sexism At Work In A Single Bill (Original Post)
demmiblue
Jan 2014
OP
Thinkingabout
(30,058 posts)1. For a moment I thought Texas was going to change, but then I
Awoke and learned I was dreaming. Good luck, may this spread nationwide.
Laelth
(32,017 posts)2. Excellent. k&r n/t
-Laelth
bettyellen
(47,209 posts)3. Wow, does it have any chance of passing?
Igel
(35,323 posts)4. Won't work if it does.
Unless they define "pay equity" in terms of total income and comparison of averages instead of "equal pay for the same work."
I don't think we'll go in that direction. No place else has.
bettyellen
(47,209 posts)5. why completely ignore some very significant provisions of the bill? min wage, child care, and
getting companies to report on wage parity all seem like laudable aims, and sorely needed these days.
And... I am guessing you think we shouldn't ask for women to be paid the same salary for the same job? Is that where you are at?
BrotherIvan
(9,126 posts)6. These are women-focused bills that actually help women
PLEEEEEEEEASE let this catch fire everywhere. It's about fucking time.