Both the Senate, which has passed equal-pay bills twice in recent decades, and the House are currently awaiting legislation. The Senate passed the bills in 2017 but the House passed an amendment to the 2018 bill. This year, the Senate seems to have more support for this measure. Lynn Fitch, Attorney General and a long-standing advocate for equal pay legislation, said that she was pleased that equal pay has gained momentum in 2018. It is a simple, but effective way Mississippi can empower women. It demonstrates our commitment towards affirming women’s inherent dignity and ensuring basic human fairness.” House Bill 770 has been passed by committee. The full House will vote on it. Cockerham stated that the measure could be passed as soon as this week and she hopes it will receive bipartisan support. Cockerham stated that she was grateful for the passage of the measure out of committee and in front of the full chamber. “… This bill would be a monumental achievement for Mississippi and the women of Mississippi.” Senate Judiciary A Chairman Brice WIGGINS, R.Pascagoula and Senator Nicole Akins Boyd (R.Oxford), co-authored Senate Bill 2451. Both bills would give the state an “actionable right”, which allows employees to be paid less for equal work done on the basis of sex. This right is already provided by federal law. However, it’s more difficult and more expensive for employees to take an employer to court under federal law. READ MORE: Will Mississippi continue denying equal pay to women? Boyd stated that “The House has a lot of cosponsors (bipartisan) for their bill as far as I understand. So I’m optimistic, and hopeful, that this year will be the year.” “I believe this would send a message to our young ladies that you are valued, and that we want them to stay in Mississippi.” Boyd stated that she held an informal “focus” group of young Mississippi law students. Both male and female members expressed strong support for equal pay. Wiggins stated that the attorney general continues to champion the legislation and that the Senate bill mirrors Alabama’s law. Mississippi is the only state that has not passed such a law. Wiggins stated that this conservative approach means the state will not be last on the issue, but it won’t infringe upon the rights of businesses. “… A part of the debate was that people don’t want the government to intrude into private businesses. This minimizes that while still allowing for a cause for action (for employees on a state-level). I am looking at my daughter and want this to show her that Mississippi is good for women working and the future of women. It’s about getting the right policy, and I believe that our bill does that.” For decades, legislative attempts to pass equal pay laws have been quietly stopped by committee. Often, there has not been a vote, and often, opponents are not openly discussing their arguments. The argument of the opponents was that federal equal pay laws exist already and they don’t want any regulations to be placed on businesses or unfounded lawsuits. In recent years, however, efforts to pass equal pay laws have been stronger. Recent research shows that women account for 51.5% of Mississippi’s population and almost half of its workforce. This state has the highest percentage of women in the country, with 53.5% being the sole breadwinners. Women who work full-time in Mississippi make 27% less than men. This gap is much larger than the national 19% gap. This gap is even worse for Black and Latina Mississippi women, who earn just 54 cents per dollar for white men. Mississippi’s workforce is almost 60% female, with nearly 60% living below the poverty level. In almost every ranking of working women, Mississippi has been ranked at the bottom or very close to the bottom. These and other statistics were discussed by senators on the Senate Labor Committee during hearings held in the fall. Senator John Horhn (D-Jackson), is the Senate Labor Chairman and vowed to press the issue once again this year. Horhn stated that he couldn’t reveal the origins of the opposition. “This just seems like an easy decision, and it is time to get it done.” However, it will be again (quietly), opposed by business interests, and finally decided by a Legislature which is only 16% female and remains whiter than the state of Mississippi.