Issue Position: Creating an Economy That Works for All of Our Families

Issue Position

Senator Schatz is committed to helping build an economy where everyone has a fair shot of making it if they work hard and play by the rules. In addition to making sure that we increase the number of good jobs in Hawai"i by investing in the industries of the future, Senator Schatz believes that we must update workplace policies to account for the realities of the 21st century economy. Hardworking families shouldn't be left behind by an outdated system.

With Hawai"i's high cost of living, Senator Schatz knows that it's more important than ever that people receive a fair wage. No one who puts in a full day's work ought to take home less than they can live on. Senator Schatz voted in the Senate to raise the federal minimum wage to $10.10 per hour, and he voted to raise the minimum wage four times while he was a member of the State Legislature.

Workplace policies also need to account for today's economy, where more and more families rely on two incomes, but the system is often rigged against working families. That's why Senator Schatz introduced the Opportunity Plan with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand to help ensure our economy works for all of our families.

The United States is the only high-income country without a paid leave program. As part of the Opportunity Plan, Senator Schatz co-sponsored the FAMILY Act to create up to 12 weeks of paid family medical leave so no worker will have to choose between putting food on the table or caring for a sick child or parent. He also supports tax credits for affordable childcare and the PRE-K Act to invest in universal pre-K education, which not only helps working parents but helps better prepare our children.

In 2014, it's unacceptable that women still earn less pay than men do. Senator Schatz is pushing for the Paycheck Fairness Act to help end this inequity.

As CEO of one of Hawai"i's largest non-profits, Helping Hands Hawai"i, Senator Schatz worked with the board to bring the organization back from the brink of bankruptcy. He also served as the Chair of the Economic Development Committee while a member of the State Legislature, where he fought for policies that would diversify Hawai"i's economy and support working families. In the Senate, he continues to push for legislation that will create jobs and build an economy that works for all our families.

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