This morning my equal pay bill, HB349 was given a public hearing and then was voted out of committee – Workforce Development and Workplace Safety. This is something to brag about since this bill last progressed this far in 2002 under the sponsorship of former Rep. Joan Bray.
I thank Chair Rep. Barney Fisher (R-Nevada) who believes in pay equity enforcement because of his own mother’s experiences as a rural high school principal making less than her counterparts. HB349 will not make it to the House floor this session but Rep. Fisher has agreed to work with me to get it moving earlier next year.
I also thank many who testified in favor of the bill particularly Eli Karsh (St. Louis) an employment attorney and Holly Burgess (Columbia) with AAUW.
I will be working hard on the pay equity issue throughout the state after session ends. Missouri women need equality via wages now and I hope not to disappoint.