MADISON – Today, Senator Melissa Agard (D-Madison), Senate Democratic Leader, participated in a White House state legislative briefing on equal pay on the eve of Equal Pay Day – March 14. Senator Melissa Agard released the following statement:
“I would like to thank President Biden for leading the fight for equal pay in the United States. It was an honor to join the countless advocates who are on the frontlines in state legislatures throughout the country working toward meaningful change. President Biden’s focus on policies that put families first and increase opportunities for women in the workforce draws stark contrast to the anti-women policies enacted under Wisconsin’s former Republican Governor Scott Walker.
“Former Governor Walker rolled back women’s rights in 2012 when he signed legislation to repeal Wisconsin’s Equal Pay Enforcement Act, leaving Wisconsin as one of just a handful of states in the nation without these protections. Not only did this repeal impact women, but also senior citizens, veterans, and people with disabilities, who may also be subject to employment discrimination.
“The gender wage gap has remained mostly unchanged since the beginning of the century with the average woman making just 84 percent of the typical man’s pay and that gap is even greater for Black, Latina, and Indigenous women. We must continue working to advance opportunities for women, specifically those in the workforce, by raising the minimum wage, increasing pay transparency, supporting unionization efforts, expanding paid family and medical leave, bolstering access to child care, and supporting other policies that put workers first.
“Our work to create a more equitable society is far from complete. I will continue working in support of Wisconsin women and I remain committed to advancing women’s rights and gender equality in our state.”
