CM James Applauds NYS Governor for Women’s Equality Act

Contact: Aja Worthy-Davis (212) 788-7081

Council Member Letitia James Applauds NYS Governor for Women’s Equality Act 

(New York, NY)— On Wednesday, January 9, 2013, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo proposed a 10-point Women’s Equality Act. The policy will address— among other issues— pay equity, human trafficking, and reproductive choice.

The Governor announced that the administration would be seeking to pass State legislation with the goal of achieving pay equity, as well as putting abortion rights into law and enacting tougher penalties for sexual harassment in the workplace. In 2012, the NYS Assembly and Senate passed the Women’s Workforce Bill with bi-partisan support. This landmark bill was the first law in state history to acknowledge and present proposals to address the gender wage gap.

“As a long-time advocate for pay equity throughout New York State, I am eager to see these proposals implemented,” said Council Member Letitia James. “Women of color living in New York State experience the widest wage disparities— in one year, the average Black woman earns approximately $12,197 less than men. It is time that a comprehensive approach to pay equity is put into place— one that recognizes how poverty is often tied to other issues that affect women and families.”

The Governor also proposed an increase in the State minimum wage from the current $7.25 an hour, to $8.75 an hour, and acknowledged the disproportionate application of the NYPD’s stop-and-frisk policy.

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