Tennessee House Bill HJR0386

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/6/23
• Engrossed: 3/9/23

Caption

A RESOLUTION to commemorate March 14, 2023, as Equal Pay Day in Tennessee.

Impact

The resolution puts a spotlight on the significant wage differences that continue to affect women and people of color in the workforce. Statistics indicated in the text show that, on average, women earned only 84 cents for every dollar earned by men in 2021 among full-time workers, with this figure dropping to 77 cents when considering all workers. The resolution serves to raise awareness about these inequities and their cumulative impact on women's lifetime earnings and economic security, which can result in significant losses in social security benefits and pensions.

Summary

HJR0386 is a House Joint Resolution introduced in the Tennessee General Assembly with the purpose of commemorating March 14, 2023, as Equal Pay Day in Tennessee. This day symbolizes the moment in the year when women's earnings are expected to catch up to the earnings of men from the previous year, highlighting ongoing issues of wage inequity. The resolution reflects the importance of addressing gender pay disparities, which persist even decades after the introduction of laws aimed at achieving pay equity, such as the Equal Pay Act.

Contention

While HJR0386 itself is a commemorative resolution rather than a legislative bill imposing direct policy changes, the discussions surrounding its passage acknowledge deeper systemic issues within labor practices. Supporters advocate for proactive measures to close the gender wage gap, pointing to interventions that could be implemented in both the public and private sectors without excessive costs. Nonetheless, there remains contention in broader discussions about how to effectively ensure equitable pay and whether current policies adequately address these disparities.