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Governor Lamont Applauds U.S. News & World Report Study Ranking Connecticut Among the Best States for Gender Equality [[link removed]]

Posted on August 26, 2022

WATCH: Governor Lamont discusses the U.S. News Best States for Gender Equality rankings [[link removed]]

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today is applauding the release of a study from U.S. News & World Report [[link removed]] ranking Connecticut as one of the best states in the country for gender equality. The governor said that this issue has been a key priority for his administration, particularly when it comes to ensuring equal access to economic opportunities.

The study ranks Connecticut as the seventh best state overall in terms of gender equality, and the #1 state in its economic subcategory. According to the study, women in the state earn 97% of what men earned, the smallest pay disparity in weekly earnings. This is the first time the organization has released a report highlighting states that have created the best environments for equal treatment between men and women. It considers several factors, including politics and business, as well as physical and financial health.

“Women’s rights are human rights, and I am proud that Connecticut is being recognized as one of the top states that not only recognizes this fact but takes every effort to implement policies that promote gender equality,” Governor Lamont said. “From enacting a paid family medical leave program, to enacting laws that advance equal pay in the workplace, safeguard access to healthcare services, and increase access to childcare, Connecticut is a leader on gender equality, which is one of the reasons why we are the most family-friendly state in the country.”

One of the first actions Governor Lamont took upon taking office in 2019 was to create the Governor’s Council on Women and Girls [[link removed]]. The group has been tasked with providing his administration with a coordinated response to issues that impact the lives of women, girls, and their families. Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz serves as its chairperson.

“As chair of the Governor’s Council on Women and Girls, I am dedicated to continuing our administration’s mission of creating more gender equality by supporting the rights and opportunities of women and families throughout our state,” Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz said. “The council is made up of an incredible group of leading women tasked with providing a coordinated state response to issues that affect the lives of women, girls, and their families. Our state has implemented a comprehensive paid family medical leave program, raised our minimum wage, passed Connecticut’s Pay Equity Law, and worked with community partners and nonprofit organizations like the Women’s Business Development Council to create the Equity Match Grant Program. That’s why we are one of the most female-friendly states in the country. It has been my honor and privilege to be a part of creating policy that has helped the women and girls of our state for over two decades, and I will continue my dedication to that mission as long as I have the privilege of serving our great state.”

Some recent policies enacted in Connecticut that promote gender equality include:

Enactment of Paid Family and Medical Leave program: In 2019, Governor Lamont proposed and signed a law [[link removed]] that made Connecticut among one of the first states to enact a paid family and medical leave program, ensuring that workers have access to the necessary benefits that allow them to take time off work to care for their own health, a newborn child, or a sick family member. Raising the Minimum Wage: In 2019, Governor Lamont proposed and signed a law [[link removed]] that steadily increases the minimum wage to $15.00 per hour and then indexes the minimum wage to inflation. Nearly 60% of minimum wage workers in Connecticut are women. Disclosure of wage range to job applicants and employees: In 2021, Governor Lamont signed a law encouraging pay equity that requires employers to disclose to job applicants and employees the salary ranges for positions. It also expands Connecticut’s prohibition of gender-based pay discrimination to require equal pay for “comparable,” as opposed to “equal” work. Allowing childcare as an eligible campaign expense when running for state office: In 2021, Governor Lamont proposed and signed a law that allows candidates running for state elected office under the citizens election program – commonly known as public financing – to use funding from the program to cover reasonable childcare expenses when directly related to campaign activity. Promoting gender equity on state boards and commissions: In 2021, Governor Lamont signed a law creating a statutory requirement for appointing authorities to consider recommendations from organizations that represent the interest of gender and racial diversity when seeking people to serve on state boards and commission. Protecting reproductive rights and healthcare services: In 2022, Governor Lamont signed a first-in-the-nation law [[link removed]] that protects medical providers and patients seeking abortion care in Connecticut who may be traveling from other states that have outlawed abortion. Additionally, it expands the type of practitioners eligible to perform certain abortion-related care.

Read on CT.gov [[link removed]]

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