Stay engaged, involved, and up-to-date: 07/09/2018 Weekly Review


Stay engaged, involved, and up-to-date: In the weekly reviews from the Women’s Public Policy Network, we look back on last week’s highlights from the WPPN, share updates on bills affecting women that are moving at the Statehouse, showcase weekly news clips, and provide calls to action on bills pending in the Legislature. Sign up for our emails to receive these updates in your inbox every week!


Americans Need REAL Paid Leave
 
The United States falls behind the rest of the world when it comes to paid leave. But that may soon change as momentum on paid leave continues to gain traction among workers, employers, and lawmakers.
Last week, the U.S. Senate Finance Committee held a bipartisan hearing on exploring the importance of paid family leave for American working families. The hearing made one thing clear: There is bipartisan consensus on the need for paid leave, but the details matter for the kind of legislation our country’s policymakers ultimately enact.
 
During the hearing, Vicki Shabo, Vice President for Workplace Policies and Strategies at the National Partnership for Women & Families, showcased the importance of advancing an inclusive, comprehensive policy – such as the FAMILY Act. She draws on the experiences of social insurance plans currently operating in a number of states. 
 
“These states set important examples as Congress considers how to make paid leave available for the more than 100 million working people – 85 percent of the workforce – who do not have paid family leave at their jobs right now. These are sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, husbands and wives who too often are forced to make heartbreaking choices involving work and financial stability, family responsibilities, and providing or receiving care.

Lack of access to paid leave is particularly challenging for people who work in industries and occupations that pay low wages, for workers of color and for women, who continue to handle most caregiving for their families and suffer direct and indirect economic penalties that last into retirement. And it is not just these individuals and families who feel the effects of the country’s paid leave gaps, but businesses, social service providers, health systems and our economy too.”

 
The FAMILY Act is the kind of paid leave policy that American workers – and employers – need, want, and deserve. It provides access to ALL workers, whether they need leave to care for and bond with a new child, provide care to an aging or ill family member, or address their own medical emergency. And it doesn’t provide the false choice between paid leave and retirement security. Read Vicki’s full testimony here.

LOOKING AHEAD: PARTNER EVENTS IN JULY
 
NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio – Hosting *tons* of events throughout the month (From organizing meetings to stand up comedy night, you’ll want to check out their monthly list of events)
 More information on all of those events

Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio – Hosting *tons* of events throughout the month (From volunteer training to open mic storytelling, you’ll want to check out their monthly list of events)

More on all of those events

The Ohio Women’s Public Policy Network & Partners – A Panel Discussion on Advancement & Innovation in Women’s Health

Date: Tuesday, July 31
Time: 11:45 am – 1:00 pm
Location: The YWCA Columbus, Wolfe Room
Lunch will be provided. Please RSVP to Amanda Wurst at amanda@remingtonroadgroup.com
Final program details forthcoming.

WHAT’S NEW IN THE NEWS FROM THIS PAST WEEK

Opinion: Roe isn’t just about women’s rights. It’s about everyone’s personal liberty.
The Washington Post, July 8, 2018

Opposition to Breast-Feeding Resolution by U.S. Stuns World Health Officials
The New York Times, July 8, 2018

Study: Paid family leave proposal would accelerate Social Security’s insolvency
The Hill, July 9, 2018

New abortion clinic opens on Northeast Side
The Columbus Dispatch, July 9, 2018

Brett Kavanaugh Poses a Serious Threat to Reproductive Rights
The Cut, July 9, 2018

Pro-life, pro-choice advocates anticipate new SCOTUS appointment
10tv, July 9, 2018

Ohio Senate passes payday loan bill
Cleveland Plain Dealer, July 10, 2018

Black, Female, and Serving the Public: A Conversation With the Lawmaker Fighting Statehouse Discrimination
Governing Magazine, July 10, 2018

Business Insider, July 10, 2018

To Remain A Global Economic Leader, The U.S. Has to Lead On Paid Leave
Forbes, July 10, 2018

Marco Rubio and Ivanka Trump say they support paid family leave – just not the plan that would most efficiently provide it
NBC News: Think, July 11, 2018

Opinion: American families need paid leave without sacrificing their retirement
The Hill, July 11, 2018

Paychecks Lag as Profits Soar, and Prices Erode Wage Gains
The New York Times, July 13, 2018

The Trump Administration Wants You to Think The Migrant Family Separation Crisis Is Over. It Isn’t.
Elle Magazine, July 13, 2018

Cleaning Toilets, Following Rules: A Migrant Child’s Days in Detention
The New York Times, July 14, 2018


#OHLEG ALERT

We are tracking the progress of any state bills affecting women in the Ohio Legislature for the 132nd General Assembly. The Senate held limited committee hearings and convened for session last week to take up the payday lending reform bill, but House and Senate are both out on recess this week.

 
LAST WEEK
  • HB 123 (Koehler, Ashford) – Lending Laws: Puts limits on payday lenders. Approximately 60 percent of all payday loan customers are women, and payday loan use is especially high among single mothers. The Senate Finance Committee held a sixth hearing on the bill last week, reporting the bill out of committee and sending it to the full Senate for consideration. The Senate convened for session to take up the bill and passed it by a 21-9 vote. The bill passed in the Senate differs slightly from the original bill passed in the House, so the bill will now head back to the House for reconciliation when they return from recess in September.
We will keep tracking any new updates and will be sharing timely legislative updates on women-centric legislation on Twitter using the #OHLeg hashtag. Follow us to stay up-to-date on what’s happening at the Statehouse.

RAISE YOUR VOICE TO #SAVESCOTUS
Last week, President Trump announced that he is nominating Judge Brett Kavanaugh to replace Justice Anthony Kennedy on the United States Supreme Court. During the campaign, Trump made a promise to only appoint Justices who would overturn Roe v. Wade; his SCOTUS nominee could put access to safe and legal abortion on the line.

We must make our voices heard to Ohio’s two U.S. Senators – Rob Portman and Sherrod Brown – to let them know that this nomination is the wrong pick for the Court and for our country.


TAKE ACTION
Contact Senators Portman and Brown, and urge them to reject Judge Kavanaugh’s appointment. Tell them that he would put reproductive, labor, immigration, LGBTQ, and civil rights at risk.
  • Senator Portman: (202) 224-3353
  • Senator Brown: (202) 224-2315