March 5, 2014 - The New York Women’s Equality Coalition applauds the Assembly’s passage of new legislation to improve access to child care subsidies and establish paid family leave in New York State.  Led by Assembly Speaker Silver and the Assembly’s Workgroup on Child Care, the Assembly passed the legislation this afternoon. These bills complement the Women’s Equality Act and work in tandem to address the obstacles and challenges faced by New York families.  Together, all of these vital measures for women will make critical upgrades to our laws and put our state back on the map as a leader for women’s equality–where New York belongs.

The Women’s Equality Act would be a major step forward for women, and today our New York State Assembly is raising the bar, by proposing vital improvements to child care access and family leave that will further support women’s economic security.  These measures will help to lift women out of poverty and bolster the middle class families who are struggling to stay in the middle class.

It is the women of our state who disproportionately face unequal pay, discrimination, violence, and denial of access to healthcare.  Securing women’s equality requires addressing a range of issues. It is clear to New York women that taking a comprehensive approach to strengthening our laws is critical. It’s simple: we can’t fully address women’s inequality by ignoring vital components of women’s lives.

The Assembly has made it clear that they are standing strong with the women of New York State.  Now it’s up to the Senate.  The women of New York have waited too long already.  It’s time for our State Senate to put politics aside and stand strong with women."