Business & Economy

New bills aim to close the gender-wage gap

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By JOSH THALL
Capital News Service
LANSING — Employers could be required to release gender-based wage information, and the state could be required to report unequal wage data, under a package of bills aiming to close the wage gap between men and women in Michigan. The Progressive Women’s Caucus laid out a plan for a 12-bill package on April 14, saying they aren’t content to wait for the gap to close in 2086 under current trends. The Progressive Women’s Caucus is a group of 17 Democratic women legislators who work to make sure women’s rights and needs are not overlooked in the government. The bills were laid out on “Equal Pay Day,” meant to recognize the wage disparity between men and women workers. April 14 was selected for Equal Pay Day because it signifies how far into 2015 women had to work to match the amount of money their male co-workers made in 2014.

Government

Debate focuses on ways to close women's wage gap

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By WEI YU
Capital News Service
LANSING – Wages for Michigan women remain much lower than for men, the American Community Survey for Equal Pay shows. The state ranks 42nd nationally in its gender-based wage gap. According to the survey, women in Michigan earn 74 cents of every dollar earned by men, less than the national average of 77 cents. The wage disparity has not only stalled, it has widened, according to the American Association of University Women. Bills pending in the legislature would help eliminate the disparity, advocates say.