A state mandate that would require businesses to give equal pay to men and women performing the same jobs was overwhelmingly defeated by the Louisiana House today amid strong opposition from business groups. The 59-33 vote against the bill wasn’t surprising. The House has defeated similar bills repeatedly in recent years. The measure by Rep. Barbara Norton, D-Shreveport, would ban employers in Louisiana from paying workers in a way that discriminates based on gender.
Supporters of Norton’s bill, called the “Equal Pay for Women Act,” said the proposal would require what was only fair. They said Louisiana has one of the largest wage gaps in the nation, with a woman 25 years or older earning on average 65 cents for every dollar a man makes. They said 35 states have laws similar to the one Norton proposed.
Opponents said the bill was vague and would open up employers to numerous lawsuits. They also said federal law already bans discrimination in the workplace. Among the powerful lobbying groups that opposed Norton’s bill were the Louisiana Chemical Association and the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry. Norton could try to bring the bill up for another vote before the session ends.
