Dear neighbors,
I am pleased to let you know that the Women’s Economic Security Act became law on Mother’s Day. I was proud to be part of the broad bipartisan coalition of state lawmakers that approved the bill.
Women in Minnesota face disproportionate barriers to economic security, but this legislation will move our state in a new direction toward greater fairness and equality.
Some of the bill’s major components include:
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Expanding unpaid leave for both moms and dads under the Minnesota Parental Leave Act from 6 weeks to 12 weeks.
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Reducing the gender pay gap by requiring private businesses that contract with the state of Minnesota to ensure equal pay for equal work.
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Expanding job opportunities for women in high-wage, high-demand occupations like computer science and engineering.
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Strengthening workplace protections and requiring reasonable accommodations for pregnant women and nursing mothers.
To learn more about the bill, check out the fact sheet attached to this email or take a moment to read some of the news coverage over the past couple days.
Star Tribune: Dayton signs law to get women a better workplace
http://www.startribune.com/politics/statelocal/258830761.html
KSTP: Gov. Dayton Signs Women's Economic Security Act on Mother's Day
http://kstp.com/article/stories/S3431478.shtml?cat=12681
Minnesota Public Radio: Dayton signs women's equal pay legislation
http://www.mprnews.org/story/2014/05/11/equal-pay-bill
With state lawmakers now in the final week of the 2014 Legislative Session, I look forward to sharing a more comprehensive review of the tremendous amount of progress we made over the past year and half – especially our efforts to restore the water level at White Bear Lake and prevent similar water shortages.
Please contact me with questions, comments or any other feedback.
Sincerely,
Peter Fischer
State Representative, District 43A