AAUW of Iowa Public Policy
NEW
The gender pay gap is real and in the news in Iowa:
. . . Nate Viall (in an Op Ed article in the Des Moines Register, May 14, 2007)
disputes the conclusions of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic studies, and
professional association findings. He claims that the pay gap cannot exist because
there is a law against it and human resource personnel (many of whom are women)
have gender equity as a high priority. . .
Read Jeri Prescott's and Terry Besser's op-ed response.Iowa AAUW has received a Public Policy Incentive grant for $800.00 from the Association. Sue Jorgenson and Sarah Hanuske submitted the competitive proposal, and Iowa was one of eight states to receive the award. The money will be used to fund advocacy training workshops for branches. AAUW has developed a very useful kit which will be used as the basis for the workshop sessions.
The first workshop will be held for the Cedar Rapids Public Policy committee in early February. They have chosen Early Childhood Education/Childcare as their focus for the year.
Branches that are interested in the training may contact Sarah Hanuske, Public Policy Chair, at hanuske@yahoo.com.
AAUW of Iowa Public Policy Program 2006-2008
AAUW of Iowa Biennial Action Priorities
Biennial priorities for action are chosen according to the criteria of viability, critical need, strong member support, and potential for distinctive AAUW contribution.
AAUW of Iowa advocates:
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Adequate and equitable funding for quality early childhood education programs.
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Adequate and equitable funding for quality public education at all levels, for all students.
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Increased teacher pay.
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Increased minimum wage.
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Access to affordable, quality child care.
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Defense of the Family and Medical Leave Act against legislative or regulatory efforts to weaken it.
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Support for legislation which provides full-time employees with paid sick days to be used for their own medical needs or to tend to the medical needs of a child, spouse or parent. Part-time employees would receive a pro-rata share of paid sick days.
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Freedom from violence and fear of violence in homes, schools, workplaces, and communities.
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Expanding the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to cover biological fathers and more family and medical needs.
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Choice in determination of ones reproductive life.
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Promoting the economic, social, and physical well-being of all persons by ensuring a clean and healthful environment.
Limitations on use of AAUW 's name (Article III, AAUW Bylaws):
Section 1. The policies and program of the Association shall be binding on
all members, branches, and states, and no member, branch, or state shall
use the name of the Association to oppose such policies or program. . . . . .
Section 2. The freedom of speech of the individual member to speak a
personal opinion in the member's own name is not abridged.
Section 3. Reference to membership in the Association by an individual
shall be interpreted as use of name in application of Section 1.
Section 4. On any national matter on which the Association has no policy,
the only action that may be taken by a member, branch, or state in the
name of the Association is to use the established channels to effect the
formulation of a policy.
Section 5. Violation of the use of Association’s name shall result in a.
member’s suspension for one year or expulsion from membership
(see Article IV, Section 6); or b. Loss of recognition of a branch or state.See and support AAUW's 2005-2007 PUBLIC POLICY PRINCIPLES FOR ACTION by clicking on: http://www.aauw.org/issue_advocacy/principles_priorities.cfm#principles
Contact your local media through AAUW's lists of contacts for newspapers, radio, and TV.
Contact Iowa Government through Iowa League of Women Voters online e-mail lists.
