Just in time for International Women’s Day on March 8, the Washington State Legislature today passed an updated Equal Pay bill which will make it easier for women to identify cases of discrimination and hold companies more accountable for them. Both hou
For the fourth time, Washington’s House of Representatives has passed an Equal Pay law with bipartisan support, 69 – 28! But as Equal Pay works its way through the Senate, some corporate lobbyists want to sneak in rules that will prevent citie
The Washington State Legislature has the chance in the winter 2018 session to pass an updated equal pay bill. In each of the past three years, the state’s House has passed an equal pay bill with bipartisan majorities, but those bills have died in commit
Communities across Washington will get a boost to health and economic well-being in January 2018 when the new paid sick and safe leave law goes into effect. Employees who previously had to go to work with the flu or when a child is sick will be able to ta
Washington State has begun implementing new standards to help workers stay healthy and protect their loved ones. These new laws are the result of the activism and collaboration of many individuals, community groups, labor unions, advocacy organizations, b
by Economic Opportunity Institute Policy Director Marilyn Watkins Late in the evening on June 30, 2017, the Washington State Legislature adopted one of the nation’s most comprehensive paid family and medical leave (PFML) policies. The vote was strongly
Washington’s paid family and medical leave program will work like insurance. Workers and their employers will both pay a small premium with each paycheck, and then workers will receive a benefit from the state when they need family leave or extended med
Late on June 30, as lawmakers in Olympia rushed to finish their work in time for the end of a third special session, the House and Senate passed paid family and medical leave. All that’s left is a signature from the governor, and with it Washington
By Marilyn Watkins, Policy Director, Economic Opportunity Institute Women and families in the U.S. are facing so many challenges these days, it’s hard to know how to focus our energy. Women who have worked hard, paid taxes, and raised families in this c
For the first time in 10 years, a paid family and medical leave plan is ready for a vote in the full state House. After clearing the House Appropriations Committee on Thursday, House Bill 1116, sponsored by Rep. June Robinson, is ready for a vote on the f