Workplace & Economic Equity
Pennsylvania Redistricing Reform
We endorse the work of Fair Districts PA and its affiliate, Fair-Districts Centre County, in advocating for non-partisan methods of redrawing legislative district lines. Our stance is that elections should represent the will of the electorate by providing voters with meaningful choices that are not manipulated by politicians. The future number of elected representatives in Pennsylvania will be based on the on the 2020 U.S. census count, resulting in the loss of one congressional representative. Pennsylvania will have 17 rather than 18 congressional districts when they are redrawn in 2021.
In Pennsylvania, district lines are drawn by a Legislative Redistricting Commission composed of the majority and minority leaders of the Senate and House (4) and one other person chosen by them. Since the leaders were unable to agree on the fifth person for 2021, the Supreme Court of PA made the appointment. The Commission has the exclusive authority to draw the maps. Questionable methods can be used for re-districting resulting in gerrymandered districts, which enable candidates to choose their voters rather than giving the voters a real choice.
Paid Family Leave
AAUW believes that paid family leave could and should be available to every working person. Family leave is of special importance for women, who most often assume caretaking responsibilities. What happens if your child or parent is seriously ill, your spouse is deployed, or you adopt a child? The recent pandemic has placed more focus on essential workers, such as food service, health care, part-time employees, and others, who often do not have access to paid leave for any reason. Without paid leave, employees risk losing their income or their jobs if they must take time off from work. Having a paid leave program, however, could result in lower turnover and fewer employees coming to work sick and contagious. Read More….
Pennsylvania Redistricting Reform
We endorse the work of Fair Districts PA and its affiliate, Fair-Districts Centre County, in advocating for non-partisan methods of redrawing legislative district lines. Our stance is that elections should represent the will of the electorate by providing voters with meaningful choices that are not manipulated by politicians.
The future number of elected representatives in Pennsylvania will be based on the on the 2020 U.S. census count, which could trigger the drawing of new districts before the next congressional and legislative elections. Read More….
Fair Districts advocated for an amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution to
change the way congressional and legislative districts are drawn. The amendment
would have formed an eleven-member commission composed of non-politicians
who would follow specific guidelines, such as drawing district lines that result in
contiguous districts of about the same size without using political affiliation or
voting data. The legislation required to change the constitution died in committee
even though it had more bi-partisan support than any other bill in the past two
legislative sessions.
Presently Fair Districts is supporting HB22 and SB222, Legislative and Congressional
Redistricting Act (LACRA). This bill does not change who draws the maps, but it
does change how the maps are drawn, enforcing strict transparency and criteria
measures for both legislative and congressional maps in 2021.
Start Smart & Work Start Programs
AAUW offers online programs to enable women to effectively negotiate for salaries and reflect their skills and education. Both are available at no charge.