CLEMMONS, KYLE EQUAL PAY LEGISLATION DEFEATED

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 30, 2017
Contact: Rep. John Ray Clemmons
615-415-4086

CLEMMONS, KYLE EQUAL PAY LEGISLATION DEFEATED

Democratic lawmakers vow to continue fight for equality, fairness and respect

NASHVILLE, TN – Proposed legislation intended to help ensure equal pay for women has once again been defeated by Republicans in the Tennessee General Assembly. State Representative John Ray Clemmons (Nashville) and State Senator Sara Kyle (Memphis) presented their Tennessee Pay Equality Act (HB1246/SB1106) and the Tennessee Pay Equality Transparency Act (HB477/SB1105) to promote equality and prevent gender discrimination in the workplace. The Democrats’ bills were defeated, respectively, in the House Consumer and Human Resources Subcommittee and the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee.

“It is disheartening to have legislation intended to ensure equality, fairness and respect for women defeated year after year by this Republican supermajority,” said Rep. John Ray Clemmons. “Women in Tennessee continue to be paid $0.81 for every $1.00 their male counterparts make for reasons including gender discrimination and bias. Senator Kyle and I, as well as our other Democratic colleagues, think that is unacceptable, and we are determined to narrow the wage gap in this state for women and Tennessee families.”

“It is truly a shame that Republican legislators view these bills through a partisan lens,” said Sen. Sara Kyle. “The legislation that we introduce every year is focused on equality and fairness, not partisanship. Together, Representative Clemmons and I will continue to fight this battle for Tennessee families as long as we have the privilege of serving.”

State Representative John Ray Clemmons represents District 55 in the Tennessee House of Representatives. Follow him on Twitter at @JRClemmons. State Senator Sara Kyle represents District 30 in the Tennessee Senate. Follow her on Twitter at @SaraforTN.