Public Policy News from National

by Kathi Harper, Public Policy Co-Chair AAUW California

On February 2, 2021, my co-chair Sue Miller and I met via Zoom with AAUW Public Policy Director Kate Nielsen and her assistant Robin Lucas, along with state public policy chairs across the nation, to get updates on changes to the public policy landscape with the new administration and Congress.  Here is a summary of what we thought members would like to know:

1. AAUW Public Policy team sent notice of our priorities for the new year
   1. Letter to the President, focused on
      1. Women’s Economic Security
      2. Education Access
   2. Letter to 117^th Congress Click HERE to access the letters.
      1. Passing the Paycheck Fairness Act
      2. Passing the Equity in Education Act
2. Outline of AAUW’s priorities for the Administration and Congress
   1. Biden-Harris in the 1^st two weeks – 41 Executive orders
      1. Covid measures, including student-debt relief and opening of schools
      2. Anti-discrimination, including removing barriers, DACA relief, and a Task Force to reunite families
      3. Protecting women’s health at home and abroad, including access to abortions
   2. Coming Legislation from Congress
      1. Covid relief – $1.9 Trillion package
         1. Paid sick & family leave extended thru Sept (14 weeks)
         2. Increase min wage to $15
         3. Assistance to those at risk of losing jobs &/or their homes
         4. $3B to help women with food relief for their families
         5. $25B emergency fund for child care providers
      2. Raise the Wage Act ($15 by 2025)
      3. FAMILY Act (emphasis on access to paid leave) 
      4. Paycheck Fairness Act – HR7
         1. AAUW working on since 1997
         2. Reintroduced 2/1
         3. Strong bi-partisan support
         4. Prohibits retaliation for discussing pay
         5. Closes loopholes in Equal Pay Act
         6. Bans using prior salary history  in hiring decisions
         7. Members can help: Click HERE to access a toolkit