Statements From Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins And Bill Sponsors On Pay Equity Bills Signed Into Law

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said, “As we honor the United States Women’s National Soccer Team for its World Cup victory, we are reminded that these champions do not make the same that the U.S. Men’s Team makes, despite winning back to back World Cup championships. The wage gap in New York is just as glaring with White women earning 89 cents to each dollar earned by men, a gap that is even more pronounced among women of color, with Black women earning 63 cents and Latinas earning 54 cents for every dollar.”

“The bills signed into law today will right this wrong by protecting employees from wage discrimination and ending the practice of salary history requests. We are proud to lead the way in fighting for equal pay for equal work to build a stronger and fairer New York.”

Bill Sponsor, Senator Alessandra Biaggi said, “From soccer fields to board rooms, Americans across working sectors are standing up for their right to equal compensation and today New York is answering that call. Every New Yorker deserves equal pay for equal work regardless of race, sexual orientation, disability, or however they choose to identify. My bill serves to address the systemic issue of pay-discrimination plaguing marginalized communities by expanding our equal pay laws to prohibit pay-discrimination based on any protected-class status. I thank Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Governor Andrew M. Cuomo for their fervent support on this issue – this is a first step towards closing the pervasive wage gap in New York State, and solidifying the principle of equal opportunity for all into law.”

Bill Sponsor, Senator David Carlucci said, “Women should not be making 80 cents or less for every dollar a man is paid for the same work. The first step in closing the gender pay gap is ending the salary history question so low salaries do not follow women throughout their career. Thank you to all the women who have stood up for equal pay and to the Governor for taking action to close the gender pay gap.”