Message from Liz...
In his State of the State address last month, Governor Cuomo outlined a progressive agenda that included a number of proposals that have long been priorities of mine, including public financing of campaigns and increasing the minimum wage. But of all his proposals, I was most excited by the prospect of a comprehensive Women's Equality Act, in which the governor will bring together a number of measures to create a level playing field for women in the workplace, address domestic violence, and protect reproductive choice.
I believe the Women's Equality Act could become a signature accomplishment of the Cuomo administration, and all of us who believe in the importance of addressing these issues must mobilize support behind this proposed legislation.
While the Governor has not yet provided legislative text, he indicates the key features of the legislation will be as follows:
- Protect a Woman's Freedom of Choice by Enacting the Reproductive Health Act
- Achieve Pay Equity
- Stop Sexual Harassment in All Workplaces
- Allow for the Recovery of Attorneys' Fees in Employment and Credit and Lending Cases
- Strengthen Human Trafficking Laws
- End Family Status Discrimination
- Stop Source-of-Income Discrimination
- Stop Housing Discrimination for Victims of Domestic Violence
- Stop Pregnancy Discrimination Once and For All
- Protect Victims of Domestic Violence by Strengthening Order-of-Protection Laws
This is a comprehensive and compelling agenda. I currently carry some of these proposals, including the Fair Pay Act (S. 1491) and legislation to require reasonable accommodations for pregnant women in the workplace (S. 1479). I have also been a cosponsor of the Reproductive Health Act for many years – and for many years, all of these bills have failed to move in the legislature. The governor's support for this agenda is critical, and we must take advantage of this opportunity for real progress on these critical issues for women.
There is reason for concern. Anti-choice advocates have mobilized in opposition to the reproductive health provisions of the governor's proposal. These provisions are not revolutionary, but are long overdue: they simply update outdated provisions in New York State law, provide that reproductive health decisions should be treated as personal, private healthcare decisions, and consolidate New York's laws on this subject within the context of health rather than criminal law. It would also ensure that any weakening of the Roe v. Wade precedent would not cause changes to the law in New York State.
I urge you to join me in expressing support for the Women's Equality Act, and have created an online petition at my Senate web site. All of us who believe that New York should be a leader in the fight for equal opportunities for women need to make our voices heard at this critical moment.