Equal Pay in Pennsylvania

Rep. Liz Hanbidge March 27, 2026 | 3:17 PM

PA Representative Liz Hanbidge banner image

Dear Friends,

Thank you to everyone who came out to our Electronics Recycling and Shredding Event last weekend. We had five trucks full of electronics recycled, 7,440 pounds of documents shredded, and received 584.43 pounds of food that was donated to Manna on Main Street. I want to sincerely apologize to those who waited in line but were ultimately unable to have their items collected. Due to the overwhelming volume of electronics and documents, our trucks reached capacity and we had to turn people away. This challenge was compounded when the company originally scheduled to handle our e-waste did not arrive. Fortunately, Junkluggers stepped in on short notice to assist. I am incredibly grateful to my staff for their hard work and to Temple University for hosting us on such a busy day.

As we mark the final week of Women’s History Month, I want to highlight the ongoing issue of the gender pay gap, the disparity in earnings between women and men. This gap places women at a significant economic disadvantage, contributing to higher rates of poverty, reduced lifetime earnings, and less retirement savings compared to men. In 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor reported that women in Pennsylvania earned, on average, just 82.4% of what men earned. If women in the Commonwealth received equal pay for equal work, the number of working women and single mothers living in poverty could be reduced by nearly 40%. Pennsylvania also lags behind the national average and several neighboring states.

This week, women at the Capitol wore red to mark Equal Pay Day, which fell on March 26, 2026. This date symbolizes how far into the new year women must work to earn what men earned in the previous year.

To address this inequity, my colleague Rep. Melissa Shusterman (D-Chester) introduced HB 630, a bill I am proud to co-sponsor. The legislation would prohibit employers from paying workers less based on gender, race, or ethnicity and protect employees from retaliation related to wage discrimination. It also ends the practice of relying on salary history in setting pay for new hires—a practice shown to perpetuate lower wages over time.

The bill passed the House by a narrow 102-101 vote last May, with only one Republican voting in favor. It now sits in the Senate Labor and Industry Committee without a scheduled vote. I strongly encourage you to contact your State Senator if you support equal pay. If you live in North Wales Borough, Upper Gwynedd, or Towamencin Townships, you are represented by Senator Tracy Pennycuick. If you live in Lower Gwynedd or Whitpain Townships, you are represented by Senator Maria Collett.

Women are paid less for many reasons, not only due to discrimination in hiring and workplace policies, but also because of structural challenges such as the lack of paid family and medical leave and the high cost of childcare. These barriers often force women out of the workforce entirely. Nationally, women earn about 85% of what men earn. According to the National Women’s Law Center, Black women working full-time, year-round earned just 65 cents for every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men in 2024. Latinas and Indigenous women earned only 58 cents on the dollar.

“The first Equal Pay Day was recognized in 1996 – that was 30 years ago! Thirty years is too long to wait for pay equity,” Speaker of the House Joanna McClinton said. “Yet here we are in 2026, still waiting on Senate Republican leaders to act, so our sisters, daughters, and nieces can receive the paycheck they have earned.”

Globally, closing the gender pay gap is increasingly recognized as essential to strengthening economic resilience and growth. These issues were discussed at the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting in Davos this year. Data shows that removing barriers to women’s full economic participation could have profound economic benefits. Closing gender gaps in workforce participation and leadership could add $7 trillion to global GDP, the total value of economic activity over a given period. The World Economic Forum also estimates that achieving gender parity in entrepreneurship alone could add $5–6 trillion to the global economy.

I am also pleased to report that this week, the Pennsylvania House passed the Family Care Act. House Bill 200 would ensure that workers do not have to choose between their jobs and caring for themselves or their loved ones. Eligible employees could receive up to 12 weeks of partial wage replacement for qualifying personal or family needs. The bill also includes grant funding to support participating businesses. House Bill 200 now moves to the Senate for consideration.

STATE OF THE WOMAN SURVEY

Women across the Commonwealth – your voice matters.

The Governor’s Advisory Commission on Women is writing a State of the Woman Report for Pennsylvania, and we want to hear directly from you.

This 20-minute survey is your chance to share your experiences, priorities, and challenges - no matter what you look like, where you come from, who you love, or who you pray to.

Take the survey and help shape the future for women in Pennsylvania. Survey is also available in Spanish and Chinese.

UPCOMING OFFICE EVENTS

Inclusive Post-High School Resource Fair hosted by Rep. Joe Webster

Caregivers of children and young adults with IEPs and 504s, did you know about the Inclusive Post-High School Resource Fair to help your child plan their future after graduation? Good news: we have a new date!

Tomorrow, March 28, 2026, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., stop by Hall A of the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, as my staff, The Arc Alliance, and a team of local volunteers help connect you with over 100 organizations that offer post-secondary opportunities such as employment, job coaching, day programs, transitional services, continuing education, supported living programs, and more. This event is open to all.

If you pre-registered for the original date, no need to sign up again! If you did not pre-register and would like to attend, please sign up here: tinyurl.com/inclusiveresourcefair.

License Plate Restoration

Is your PA license plate faded, peeling, or tough to read? We're happy to offer assistance.

We’d love for you to join Rep. Melissa Cerrato, Rep. Ben Sanchez, and our team at the License Plate Restoration Event with the Lower Gwynedd Police Department. Please save the date: Saturday, April 25, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., at Temple University Ambler’s Learning Center Parking Lot, 580 Meetinghouse Road, Ambler, PA 19002.

Feel free to call my office at 610-277-3230 to register or with any questions. We’re here to help!