St. Paul - Hidden in the State Government Finance bill is a provision to essentially eliminate funding for the Office of Economic Status for Women. The Legislative Coordinating Commission (LCC) is cut by over $600K and the language eliminates the position of director. Given this drastic cut, the only option on the table would likely be the elimination of the OESW.
Rep. Paul Thissen (DFL-Minneapolis) released the following statement:
“Again, we see House Republicans try to torpedo equality for women; this time by a backhanded effort to cut funding to the Office of Economic Status for Women. The OESW is an important commission that provides crucial information to the legislature about women’s education, employment and economic rights.”
With the passage of WESA (Women’s Economic Security Act) in 2014, the DFL-lead legislature took a huge step in creating gender equity for all Minnesota women. This newest plan by the Republican legislature to unravel women’s economic progress and treat them as second class citizens is shocking.
The State Government bill is being deliberated in conference committee and I will strongly advise the conferees to restore full funding to the OESW. I will also recommend to Governor Dayton that he reject any bill that includes efforts to hold women back. We have a budget surplus and instead of empowering women, Republicans are rigidly holding on to a huge tax cut for the wealthiest Minnesotans.”