Tom Waring, the Wire
On the seventh anniversary of the federal Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act becoming law, state Rep. Tina Davis is calling for passage of her legislation to update and strengthen Pennsylvania’s 55-year-old equal pay law.
H.B. 1160 would narrow the definition of determining factors for pay to education, training or experience, while also addressing pay secrecy and creating protections that permit employees to inquire about salaries without fear of termination. Current law allows for “any factor other than sex” to be a legitimate justification for disparities in pay.
Davis said, “Equal pay for equal work must advance from being a slogan to a reality in Pennsylvania. Income equality is a cornerstone of economic opportunity for Pennsylvania families. Pay discrimination is real, and Pennsylvania can ill afford to continue to shortchange women and their families. This needs to be fixed immediately.”
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In other state House news, Santarsiero announced a Community Conservation Partnership Program grant for Morrisville, which received $60,000 for the Bucks D&L Canal Trail’s Bridge Street Gap project.
The grant is to install an ADA walkway from one side on the Delaware Canal to the other side, along Bridge Street. Once the funding is secured, construction is expected to last six months.
“The investments being made address safety, recreation and quality-of-life issues that will benefit residents and visitors for generations to come,” Santarsiero said. “I am proud to work with Morrisville Borough officials to advance projects like this to keep our communities vibrant.”
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources administers the CCPP to provide financial and technical assistance to local governments, river and trail organizations, land trusts, and other nonprofits for planning, acquisitions and development of park, recreation, conservation and greenway projects.
Funding for the CCPP comes from the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund, the Environmental Stewardship Fund and several federal funding sources.
