A bill that would launch a study into wage disparities between men and women in Wyoming, passed through the state legislature Monday and now awaits the Governor’s signature.
“With headlines like ‘Wyoming worst for women’ the wage gap portrays Wyoming as unwelcoming for working women,” House Minority Floor Leader Cathy Connolly said. “We need good nuanced data, to address this issue. The previous study was done in 2003, and we need it to address the issue properly.”
Wyoming has been ranked as having the largest wage gap between men and women out of all 50 states. According to 2003 census information, Wyoming women make 64 cents for each dollar when compared to their male counterparts..
The data measures only full-time year round wages of men verse full time year round wages of women.
However, Connolly said the data is painting the issue with a broad stroke where a more nuanced look will better help us explain and address the issue. That nuanced look requires multivariate analysis with numerous independent variables to examine wages.
Representative Marti Halverson, co sponser of the bill, said because the census takes the cumulative wages of men and the cumulative wages of women before subtracting them to calculate the wage gap, the metric does not give an accurate account.
“One of two things will result, we will have restored Wyoming’s reputation as being wonderful for women or the legislature will have its work cut out for them,” Halverson said.
Halverson and Connolly came from different sides of the isle to co sponsor this bill. While they both want the wage disparity to be studied, they each think the study will revile different results.
“I hope the study will show that employers are not discriminating against women,” Halverson, said. “The so called wage gap has been an issue in this state for five years.”
Connolly supports the study for different reasons. She said she believes that this study will give the legislature the necessary information to alleviate a gap..
The study would examine were the disparities exist, in which occupations, in both the industrial sector and county. In addition looking into what the impact of education and other factors are on reducing the wage gap and how Wyoming compares to other states, Connolly said.
The Wyoming women’s foundation conducted a study last year in cooperation with the Wyoming survey analysis center at the University of Wyoming. The study examined full time employment and found the wage gap to be women earning 69 cents for each dollar men make.
“I think it’s great to see more research and discussion about the issue,” Rebekah Smith, program associate for the Wyoming Women’s foundation, said.
