ST. PAUL, MN – Today the House Jobs and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee approved the Women’s Economic Security Act (House File 2536) on a voice vote and re-referred the bill to the House Ways and Means Committee.
“This is about strengthening working families and households,” said State Representative Carly Melin (DFL – Hibbing), the bill’s chief author.
The Women’s Economic Security Act builds on Minnesota’s positive economic momentum by ensuring equal opportunities for women to succeed in the workplace and provide for their families. Members of the public, small business owners, and religious organizations testified in support of the bill at today’s hearing.
Kathryn Mollen, Policy and Outreach Coordinator for the Minnesota Catholic Conference (MCC) said her organization wants to ensure that women have access to a workplace that supports family economic security and motherhood.
“This act is an important step towards those goals,” said Mollen.
Paul Blomquist, a Greater Minnesota business owner who was not able to attend today’s hearing, sent committee members a letter in support of the legislation.
“As an active business owner in Greater Minnesota, I know that equitable work policies for women is not just smart for business or the right thing to do; it builds a stronger economic foundation for all of Minnesota, particularly in rural areas,” wrote Blomquist. “Providing these fair policies and economic opportunities for women, who make up half of the state’s workforce, is key to our state’s economic future.”
Tara Duncan, a Minnesota mother who was fired from her job after requesting two short breaks per day to breastfeed her newborn baby, testified in support of the legislation, particularly a component to strengthen pregnancy accommodation requirements. As her family’s breadwinner, Duncan said it was difficult to go two months without income after losing her job.
Leah Olm shared the story of a friend who found out she was earning less at her job than a male in the same position. Olm said her friend’s boss threatened to fire her for asking male coworkers how much money they earned, which is how she found out about the pay gap in the first place. “This package would clear the way for a more equal playing field,” said Olm.
Kristina Hanson, an early education teacher, said Minnesotans who work in her field are primarily women who earn less than $11.00 per hour with little to no benefits. “I was having a horrible time trying to make ends meet under these conditions,” said Hanson.
Testimony during today’s hearing illustrated the unique challenges and barriers to economic security currently facing women in Minnesota.
According to a new report by the University of Minnesota Humphrey School’s Center on Women & Public Policy, families headed by women are four times more likely to be living in poverty and that women earn a median pay of 80 percent of what men earn. In Greater Minnesota, that disparity grows even larger, with women making on average only 73 cents for every dollar a man makes.
Melin thanked her colleagues who authored individual bills within the overall package of legislation. “I really appreciate everyone’s hard work presenting bills in committees over the past few weeks,” said Melin. “There is a broad coalition of elected officials, organizations and Minnesotans who put in a lot of time and effort into this.”
Melin specifically praised the following legislators who authored components of the legislation heard during today’s committee hearing:
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Rep. Yvonne Selcer: Author of HF 2243 (Women entrepreneurs business development grant program created, and money appropriated).
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Rep. Barb Yarusso: Author of HF 2259 (Nursing mothers; unfair employment practices clarified).
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Rep. Sandra Masin: Author of HF 2274 (Wage disclosure protected, and retaliation prohibited).
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Rep. Will Morgan: Author of HF 2291 (Women's economic self-sufficiency promoted; gender segregation in the workforce reduced; gender pay gap reduced through the participation of women in high-wage, high-demand, nontraditional occupations; women and nontraditional jobs grant program established; and money appropriated).
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Rep. Paul Rosenthal: Author of HF 2366 (Unemployment benefits eligibility modified when applicant is a victim of sexual assault or stalking).
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Rep. Phyllis Kahn: Author of HF 2371 (Pregnancy and parenting leave provided, and pregnancy accommodations required).
Other components of the Women’s Economic Security Act aimed at closing the gender pay gap, such as a bill authored by Rep. Rena Moran that would require certain businesses awarded state contracts to issue pay equity compliance certificates, may be included in the package later.