'Equal Pay Day' in Spotlight

On April 8, "Equal Pay Day," President Obama signed a new executive order to prevent workplace discrimination and empower workers to take control over negotiations on their own pay. 

As he did so – in a ceremony joined by state Sen. Martha Fuller Clark, D-Portsmouth – New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan was testifying in support of the New Hampshire Paycheck Fairness Act, a bill introduced by Sen. Sylvia Larsen, D-Concord.

Hassan noted, as did Obama, that women earn on average 77 cents on the dollar compared to what men earn.

"This disparity makes it more difficult for New Hampshire families to achieve financial prosperity and save for the future," Hassan said in remarks. "It also puts further strain on our state budget and hurts our local businesses by taking money out of the pockets of consumers. The Paycheck Fairness Act of 2014 will strengthen New Hampshire’s economic future and improve the financial security of working families by providing the tools and protections needed to ensure equal paychecks for all Granite Staters.

The Paycheck Fairness Act seeks to update state law by eliminating loopholes, increasing transparency in wages and ensuring workers have the resources to help them earn an equal paycheck without fear of retaliation.

The "Paycheck Fairness Act" would build upon state law that former Gov. Jeanne Shaheen signed in 2000, according to Hassan. Shaheen, now U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), issued a statement on "Equal Pay Day."

Said Shaheen: "Pay discrimination is not fair, is not right, and every day that it persists is a day when we do an injustice to hardworking American women. Equal Pay Day is a stark reminder that while we have made progress in the last several decades, pay discrimination continues to hurt women, families and the economy. As long as millions of American women continue to only earn 77 cents for every dollar earned by men, we have to keep fighting. It’s time all Americans receive equal pay for equal work, and it’s time we pass the Paycheck Fairness Act."