Issue Position: Women's Issues

An advocate for fairness in the workplace

Women in Minnesota earn on average 80 cents for every dollar men earn doing similar work. This hurts our economy by robbing women of income to support themselves and their families.
To begin closing that gap, I proudly supported the Women's Economic Security Act, a new law that establishes pay equity requirements for state contractors receiving taxpayer dollars, strengthens workplace protections for pregnant women and nursing mothers, expands opportunities for women to obtain high-wage jobs and increases unpaid parental leave for both moms and dads from 6 weeks to 12 weeks.
As a husband and father of two talented daughters, I say voting for the Women's Economic Security Act was one of my most important votes in the session. I believe women deserve to be treated with fairness and respect and have equal opportunities to succeed in the workplace.
I am also a strong supporter of a woman's right to make her own health care decisions without government interference.

I improved economic security for women and their families by:

Reducing the gender pay gap through new pay equity requirements for state contractors receiving taxpayer dollars and prohibited all employers from disciplining female and male workers who voluntarily discuss and disclose their wages and compensation.
Expanding unpaid leave for moms and dads under the Minnesota Parental Leave Act from 6 weeks to 12 weeks and allowed the use of leave for pregnancy-related needs.
Requiring employers to provide reasonable accommodations to an employee for health conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth if she requests, based on the advice of her licensed health care provider.
Increasing opportunities for women to become employed in high- wage, high-demand occupations in fields such as science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
Requiring employers to provide reasonable, unpaid break time each day to an employee who needs to express breast milk for her infant child.
Expanding unemployment insurance eligibility currently available to victims of domestic violence to also include victims of stalking and sexual assault.
Allowing women to use existing earned sick leave to recover from sexual assault, domestic violence or stalking.

I am a strong supporter of the League of Women's Voters

I believe everyone in our community counts and should have the opportunity to vote and be apart of the political process.
It is important that our police are properly educated and trained to avoid racial profiling, and how to handle emergencies regarding domestic abuse situations and people with mental illness. I am a strong believer that transparency is a powerful tool that will help to alleviate a lot of stigmas and equity/equality issues in our society.
We must create a community where everyone feels welcome and safe.
We not only want our citizens, but our police to be more diligent in addressing discrimination in our society.
To learn more about the League of Women's Voters, please go to:
http://lwv.org

Source