On 7th Anniversary of the Lilly Ledbetter Act,
Wisconsin Women Lag Behind
January 29, 2016
MADISON – Today marks the 7th anniversary of the signing of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act by President Obama. While the Lilly Ledbetter Act marked a significant milestone for women’s pay equity, Wisconsin women still earn just 78 cents on the dollar compared to men. African American and Latina women fare even worse, with African American women earning just 64 cents and Latina women earning just 55 cents on the dollar.
“A fair day’s work should mean a fair day’s pay, but for too many women, this is not the case. It is shameful that Wisconsin women earn just 78 cents on the dollar compared to men,” said Representative Lisa Subeck (D – Madison). “With a lagging economy and more women than ever before working as the primary breadwinners for their families, the wage disparity between women and men in Wisconsin is not just a women’s issue, but an economic issue and a family issue, as well.”
In 2009, Wisconsin passed its own Equal Pay Act, which was subsequently repealed by Governor Walker and the Republican majority in the legislature in 2012. Wisconsin is now just one of six states in the nation, and the only state in the Midwest, without a law on the books banning wage discrimination. The five other states that do not guarantee women equal pay for equal work include Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Utah.
“Governor Walker and legislative Republicans ought to be ashamed of themselves for repealing Wisconsin’s Equal Pay Act and making us one of just 6 states in the nation – and the only state in the Midwest – that does not guarantee women equal pay for equal work. Republicans are driving down wages and again putting their extreme right-wing, special interest agenda ahead of doing right by Wisconsin women, our families, and our economy,” said Rep. Subeck. “Today, on the 7th Anniversary of the federal Lilly Ledbetter Act, I am proud to join my Democratic colleagues in the State Assembly as we renew our call to restore Wisconsin’s Equal Pay Act because 78 percent is not enough.”
Click here to view a video created by the Wisconsin Assembly Democratic Women calling for the restoration of Wisconsin’s Equal Pay Act.
