Issue Position: Equal Pay for Equal Work- It Should be Texas Law

Issue Position

As a former single parent, I understand the importance of equal pay for equal work. Women are being short changed. Your wives, mothers, sisters and daughters are paid less over their lifetimes than men -- even after adjustments for differences in education and experience.

The U.S. Department of Labor found that in 2014, women working full time in Texas were paid on average just 79 percent of what men were paid. "Even a year out of college, within the same major, field, and hours worked, men earn 7 percent more than women -- and that gap doubles in 10 years even though women are more likely to earn a master's degree"[1] While a 7 or 14 percent disparity may sound small to some, when you think about what the amount represents it is staggering. It represents security -- gaining access to college for oneself or one's children, investing in a home, building a nest egg, and funding one's retirement. The average woman loses hundreds of thousands of dollars over her working years as a result of this inequality.

Texas needs to be a leader in the area of income equalization by first passing the Lily Ledbetter act for Texas. This legislation was originally passed by the Texas Senate and House in 2013 but vetoed by then Governor Perry. The Texas Supreme Court has already stated that the federal law doesn't affect the state statute of limitations, which means women in Texas have fewer options to pursue remedies against wage discrimination.

The gender pay gap is impacting our families, our quality of life, access to retirement, and realization of the American dream. This is an issue that affects all of the women we know and care about, and Texas needs to address equal pay for equal work to contribute to our state and nation's future.

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