Fighting The Wage Gap

March 16, 2023
Despite historic growth, rising wages, and unemployment at a near-record low, women working full-time, year-round, are paid an average of 84 cents for every dollar paid to men.  Pay disparities are even more pronounced for Black women, Native American women, Latinas, many Asian American women, and women with disabilities. 

As another Equal Pay Day just passed, we call attention to this injustice and the pay disparities that add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost income over a lifetime, undermining financial security for women and families across our Nation. Connecticut House Democrats are working to change that. This year, we continue to work toward equal pay with our gender wage gap bill.

Today, Rep. Farrar, Turco, and I discussed House Bill 6273, legislation we introduced requiring the public and private sectors to include salary ranges on job postings. Taking that step will ensure that our state can have equal pay for women and our families and a stronger economy. 

 

You can watch my remarks by clicking the video below.

State Representative Robin Porter on Equal Pay.
Watch the Full Press Conference on Equal Pay
In Connecticut, we have made progress year after year to close the wage gap.  During the legislative session in 2017, I was House chairwoman of the Labor and Public Employees Committee and helped champion legislation that benefits Connecticut workers and addresses the pay gap. See the graphic below.
The wage gap can not be explained by choices but persists regardless of industry, occupation or education level. Women are paid less than men. Black women are trying to make a dollar out of .57 cents and today we are making some noise in hopes that the pay equity well will get some oil.