Minnesota Democrats to push for “Women’s Economic Security Act”

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Democrats in the Minnesota Legislature are planning a big push for what they're calling a "Women's Economic Security Act."

House Speaker Paul Thissen of Minneapolis unveiled the checklist of proposals Thursday at the Women's Economic Security Summit in St. Paul. It includes a wide range of legislative proposals, from increasing the minimum wage and expanding child care access to enhancing protections for domestic violence victims.

A Humphrey Institute report released in connection with the summit found women in Minnesota still earn less by median than their male counterparts, and lag by other economic and social measures.

President Barack Obama highlighted many of the same issues this week in his State of the Union. Thissen says the package will be a top priority for Democrats in the upcoming legislative session.