For Immediate Release: May 20, 2014

Contact: Gary Ginsburg | ginsburg@nysenate.gov | 518-455-2415

Senate Democratic Conference And Womens Organizations
Continue Push For Passage Of Entire Womens Equality Act

Full Womens Equality Act Legislation Introduced in Senate and Letter Issued to Senate Leaders
Urging Immediate Action

(Albany, NY) The Senate Democratic Conference today joined with womens rights advocates to
call on the Senate Republican Coalition to pass the full Womens Equality Act (WEA). Despite
being passed twice in the State Assembly, the full Womens Equality Act has not been brought
before the Senate for a vote.

The women of New York deserve a vote on the entire Womens Equality Act and have a right to
know where their elected officials stand on these important issues, Democratic Conference
Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said. Womens health and equality should not be a Republican
or Democratic issue. I urge my colleagues in the Senate Republican/IDC Coalition to drop their
opposition to the full, omnibus Womens Equality Act and allow this initiative to the floor for a
vote.

Senate Democratic Conference Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris said, It is past time for the
passage of the entire Womens Equality Act. New York has a long history of leading the nation
towards gender equality, and it is unacceptable that the majority coalition is stifling progress by
refusing to allow a vote on the full WEA. The tradition of Seneca Falls demands that New York
once again lead the way on an issue of such importance. We can live up to that history by
immediately passing the full Womens Equality Act.

The Womens Equality Act was initially introduced as an omnibus Governors Program Bill and
introduced in the State Assembly where it was passed before the end of the 2013 Legislative
Session and again at the beginning of the 2014 session. The Senate Republican/IDC Coalition
leadership refused to bring the full Womens Equality Act to the floor for a vote, and failed to
introduce this legislation as a single initiative, instead splitting the WEA up into ten separate bills.

Senate Democratic Conference Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins introduced the omnibus Womens
Equality Act as a response to the fact that the Assembly-passed initiative has been stalled in the
Senate Rules Committee. Democratic Leader Stewart-Cousins also issued a letter to the Senate
Coalition Leaders urging immediate action on the full Womens Equality Act.

The Womens Equality Act will:
Protect a Womans Freedom of Choice


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

Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson said, Despite the fact that all points of the Womens Equality
Act have the support of a vast majority of New Yorkers, the Senate Coalition has refused to take the
simple action of bringing the Governor-supported and Assembly-passed omnibus bill to the floor
for a vote. We need to pass this common sense initiative to ensure that the women of New York
have the rights and protections they deserve, and I urge Senator Skelos and Senator Klein to bring
this legislation up for a vote.

Senator Liz Krueger said, Every piece of this critical legislation deserves a vote, but I want to be
crystal clear about the reproductive health portion: its just as essential as the other nine points, and
it addresses a pressing problem. Right now, in New York, a woman could need to end her
pregnancy for medical reasons, and our failure to modernize our laws could force her to go out of
state for the care she needs -- even when waiting or traveling could pose a risk to her life. Thats
unacceptable, and we have to fix it.

Senator Velmanette Montgomery said, The protections provided in the Womens Equality Act
are essential for New York State women, especially those who have been impacted by harassment
and discrimination or human trafficking. This proposal will go far to break down barriers that
perpetuate unfair practices denying women equal protection under the law. The women of New
York deserve a vote on the full Womens Equality Act, and I urge my colleagues in the Majority
Coalition to bring this initiative to the Senate floor.

Senator Toby Ann Stavisky said, Its unfortunate that in 2014 we are still fighting to ensure
women are treated fairly and equally in New York State. This is not a Republican or Democratic
issue, this is a human rights issue and the women of New York deserve to see where their elected
officials stand. I urge my colleagues in the Senate Republican/IDC Coalition to stop playing politics
with womens rights and bring the entire Womens Equality Act before the State Senate.

Senator Cecilia Tkaczyk said, Pay equity is a very simple concept -- Individuals with the same
training and experience, doing the same work should receive the same pay. Yet women face a pay
gap in nearly every occupation, be it elementary school teacher, registered nurse or computer
programmer. Passage of the Womens Equality Agenda would help us address this inequity, and
ensure that all working people receive equal pay for equal work.

Christine Sadowski, Executive Director of the YWCA Orange County and a Representative of
the YWCAs of New York State, said, YWCAs throughout New York State are excited to
contribute our resources to work on the Womens Equality Agenda. This comprehensive and
significant agenda has the potential to improve the lives of thousands of women and girls that


YWCAs work with across the state. Were eager to work collaboratively with other statewide
organizations to fight the systemic inequality that negatively impacts not only women, but families
and our overall communities as well.

Barbara Bartoletti, Legislative Director of the League of Women Voters, New York, said, The
Womens Equality Act will advance New Yorks long legacy as a model for equality and fairness
by breaking down barriers that perpetuate discrimination and inequality based on gender. New
Yorkers deserve to see a vote on the entire agenda.

Bev Neufeld, Director of the Equal Pay Coalition, said, New York women go to work every day
and face unnecessary and serious obstacles to their financial and physical security, affecting their
lives, the well-being of their families and our economy. With a package of essential laws on the
table to provide relief, NYS legislators need to go to work today to forge a path toward passage of
the Womens Equality Agenda.

Donna Lieberman, Executive Director of the New York Civil Liberties Union, said, Elected
officials should prioritize the women they represent over partisan bickering by bringing the full
Womens Equality Act to the Senate floor for a vote straight away. Its time for state law to reflect
New Yorkers overwhelming support for fairness, dignity and equality for all women.

M. Tracey Brooks, CEO of Family Planning Advocates of New York State, said, Women have
waited 41 years for New York State law to meet the simple requirements set out by the Supreme
Court in Roe v. Wade. In 2014, their doctors must be able to continue to provide the health care
women are accustomed to receiving, regardless of what happens on the national level. New York
State must live up to its reputation as a leader for equality, and health policy must be based on the
real needs of women. The New York State Senate must bring WEA to the floor for a full vote now.

Andrea Miller, President of NARAL Pro-Choice New York, said, With few days left remaining
in this session, the Senate is running out of time to pass the full, 10-point Womens Equality Act.
The Senate majoritys senseless and ongoing delay continues both jeopardizes the wellbeing of
women with serious medical complications during pregnancy and tarnishes New Yorks legacy of
advancing of womens reproductive rights. Our states voters have made their opinions clear: The
Womens Equality Act is the critical step in helping New York women achieve full equality
which they understand necessarily includes reproductive rights. The time for the Senate to take
action on the voters wishes is now.

Sara Hutchinson, Domestic Program Director at Catholics for Choice, said, The Womens
Equality Agenda closely corresponds with the Catholic tradition of social justice. It also upholds the
Catholic belief that individual conscience is the ultimate arbiter when it comes to moral decision-
making, including the decision about whether and when to start a family. The full issues of the
WEA are good policy and good practice, and reflect the values of many Catholics, including the 7.4
million Catholics in New York.

Sonia Ossorio, President of the National Organization for Women in New York City, said,
Every New York voter deserves to know where his or her Senator stands on all the measures of the
Womens Equality Act. Its time to put the politics aside and get real laws passed for the women
and girls of our state.



Senator Martin Malav Dilan said, Without question, the 10-point Womens Equality Agenda
will improve the lives of New Yorks women and families for generations to come. Every day our
mothers, sisters and friends struggle to find housing, to find employment, to find the respect they
deserve, and to earn their fair share. Passage of this important package of legislation is overdue and
I commend Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins for her persistence and leadership on this issue.

Senator Terry Gipson said, I remain steadfast in my commitment to passing the Womens
Equality Act. The women of New York State deserve to have their hard-won rights protected in
State law and I am disappointed that the Senate Majority Coalition continues to block these
common sense initiatives. I look forward to continuing my efforts to pass the Womens Equality
Act and thank Democratic leader, Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins for her dedication on this crucial
issue.

Senator Brad Hoylman said, Just last week, the State Senate held its annual Women of
Distinction ceremony to honor women from across our state for their tremendous contributions to
our communities, yet New Yorks women continue to face gender-based discrimination and
inequality. Its up to the State Senate leadership to get serious about gender equity and bring the full
Womens Equality Act -- including the crucial tenth provision that would codify the reproductive
health protections won by women more than 40 years ago in Roe v. Wade -- to the Senate floor.

Senator Ted OBrien said, Its unfortunate that in the year 2014 we are still standing here
demanding that the women of New York be treated equally under state law. It is appalling that the
Senate Majority Coalition continues to stand in the way of ensuring women earn equal pay for equal
work and are protected from harassment and discrimination in the workplace. I urge the Senate
Majority to stop playing politics with womens rights and bring the full Womens Equality Act to
the floor for a vote.

Senator Gustavo Rivera said, It is simply unacceptable that women in New York still face
discriminatory practices in the workplace and unnecessary obstacles when it comes to reproductive
health. Passing the 10-point Womens Equality Act is an essential step in ensuring that a broad
spectrum of womens rights are fully protected in New York. As a state, we cannot continue to
allow inequitable policies and antiquated laws to stand any longer.


###

Follow on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/NYSenDems
New York State Senate | DemocraticConferenceNews@nysenate.gov | 518-455-2415