January 29: Here’s what happened at the Statehouse this week
Women4Change hosted our third annual Women’s Economic Stability press conference via Zoom Thursday. We hosted speakers from across the state. Republican and Democrat legislators joined us to discuss bills that touch on a range of issues related to women’s economic stability, including pregnancy accommodations and paid leave.
Below: quotes from the press conference that we are still thinking about…
"It is unacceptable to pay women less for the same responsibilities when women have been fighting for equal pay for decades." - Rep. Carolyn Jackson
"Six in ten voters believe they would face serious financial hardship should they have to take an extended leave." - Rep. Chris Campbell
"No Hoosier should ever have to face financial instability versus their health." - Rep. Chris Campbell
"Nationally, women are paid 82 cents for every dollar paid to men. Indiana's wage gap is greater than that... the wage gap for women of color is even greater." - Rep. Sue Errington
"One in four women who reported being unemployed during the pandemic said it was because they lacked childcare. This is double the rate of men who reported the same." - W4C Executive Director, Rima Shahid
"By many accounts, this childcare crisis will set women back a generation. In the meantime, women are also holding up our society and our economy. One in three jobs held by women is considered essential, and the majority of healthcare workers are women." - W4C Executive Director, Rima Shahid
Statehouse updates:
The Corrections and Criminal Law committee voted to pass and adopt Senate Bill 79, Domestic battery enhancement.
New authors:
Senator J.D. Ford was added as a coauthor of Senate Bill 246, Pregnancy and childbirth accommodation.
Senator Fady Qaddoura was added as a coauthor of Senate Bill 313, Paid family and medical leave program.
Senators Susan Glick and Jean Breaux Statewide were added as coauthors, and Senators Ed Charbonneau and Vaneta Becker were added as authors of Senate Bill 10, Statewide maternal mortality review committee.
Senator Blake Doriot was added as a second author of Senate Bill 58, Vote centers.
Statehouse news:
State agencies share budget proposals to House Ways and Means Committee
Indiana pre-abortion ultrasound law goes into effect after four-year wait