In Light of Recent NJ Pay Equity Legislation, Women & Children Chair Calls on Christie to Denounce Wisconsin Efforts to Roll Back Equal Pay for Women
(VOORHEES)–Today, Assembly Women & Children Committee Chairwoman Pamela Lampitt (D-Camden/Burlington) released the following statement on the news that Governor Scott Walker (R-WI) has signed a repeal of Wisconsin’s Equal Pay Enforcement Act–making it harder for women bringing equal pay lawsuits to get their day in court:
“Governor Walker’s extremist, anti-women ideology is as anachronistic as it is horribly misguided. Though it might make for compelling copy on an episode of ‘Mad Men’, such blatantly sexist policies have no place in America in 2011.
“As Vice-Chair of the Republican Governor’s Association seeking to protect Scott Walker in an upcoming recall election, Chris Christie owes the public some answers. Does he stand for equal pay for women or for Walker-style efforts to promote pay discrimination? Does he stand with the women of New Jersey and Wisconsin or for widening inequities in wages that undermine not only middle-class and working families but our entire economy?
“Fortunately, here in New Jersey, we in the Assembly recently passed a four-bill package designed to combat pay discrimination and close New Jersey’s $15.8 billion annual wage gap. In a state where women only earn 77 cents for ever dollar a man earns, we need to push forward with pay equity efforts, instead of rolling back the clock on women’s rights. Governor Christie should explain to the people of New Jersey where he stands on pay equity without delay.”