Washington State National Organization for Women supports economic equity for all women. We propose the following issues as a partial list and a beginning to the achievement of equity in economics.

Child Support

NOW opposes a mandatory joint custody bill and supports a fairly written relocation bill with the responsibility of reporting on both parents.

Welfare Reform

As of July 1999, the changes to TANF will require mothers of infants who are 3 months old and older to work. NOW supports allowing women to remain at home with their infant until that child is 12 months old. NOW recognizes the crucial role that education plays in our society and supports providing coverage for children over 18 who are still in high school.

Child Care

NOW supports an expanded training program for child care employees both pre-employment and while employed. NOW also supports establishing a pilot program for a child care wage ladder. NOW supports raising the reimbursement rates for providers to 75% based on the 1998 survey.

Pay Equity

Women currently earn 73 cents on the dollar compared with men earning $1.00. NOW supports legislation that is aimed at raising wages for women to rid the state of this disparity. This includes a review and update of the state's Comparable Worth study and pay scales for its own employees.

Family Leave

NOW supports expanding the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to create family friendly policies in all work places.