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Nixon signs executive order which seeks to close gender wage gap

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Gov. Jay Nixon signed Executive Order 15-09 Friday in an effort to eliminate the wage gap between men and women within the executive branch of government.

The full text of the order can be read here, but the text of the order’s directive reads as follows:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JEREMIAH W. (JAY) NIXON, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI, in recognition of the obligations of the State of Missouri and by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the Laws of the State of Missouri, do hereby declare that Missouri is committed to the elimination of the aforementioned gender wage gap and direct all Executive Branch agencies, as well as strongly encourage all private employers, to review and determine how the practices, contained in the preliminary guidelines and, eventually, the Pay Equity Best Practices Guidelines, can be utilized by their agency or business and to identify and address any gender wage gap in order to ensure that all Missourians receive equal pay for equal work.

The Pay Equity Best Practices Guidelines was developed out of a partnership between the Women’s Foundation and the Harry S Truman School of Public Affairs after a study published last year found that women received only 71 cents for each dollar men made. Nixon wants to change that.

“We need to ensure that all Missourians are getting a fair shake and an equal opportunity to achieve the American Dream,” Nixon said in a statement. “Shortchanging 50 percent of the workforce is bad for women, it’s bad for families, and it’s bad for our entire economy. Equal work deserves equal pay – period. My executive order sends a strong message that Missouri intends to be a leader in creating an economy of opportunity that works for everyone.”

Nixon’s order comes as he speaks to the Women’s Foundation in Kansas City today. Wendy Doyle, President and CEO of the organization, praised Nixon for signing the order.

“Governor Nixon’s leadership is bringing Missouri a step closer to equal pay for equal work,” she said. “We commend the Governor for being a national leader in closing the gender pay gap, refusing to accept the status quo in Missouri, and creating economic opportunity for women and their families.”

While neither the private sector nor either of the other two branches of state government are mandated to adhere to this principle, Nixon strongly encouraged them to do so in his order.

 

FEATURED IMAGE/Gov. Jay Nixon