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California Senate adopts resolution recognizing Women’s Equal Pay Day
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Summary
The California State Senate unanimously adopted Senate Resolution 31, recognizing Women’s Equal Pay Day and urging attention to persistent wage gaps faced by women — particularly women of color.
Senator Wahab introduced and the California State Senate adopted Senate Resolution 31, recognizing Women’s Equal Pay Day and calling attention to continuing wage disparities for women in the state.
The resolution, introduced on the Senate floor as SR 31, notes that women on average earn less than men across sectors and that Black, Latina and Native American women earn less than white women. Senator Wahab asked colleagues for an “aye” vote; the resolution passed by a roll call vote of 37-0.
SR 31 frames pay equity as an economic issue that affects families and communities. In floor remarks, Senator Wahab said women continue to make less than their male counterparts across the workforce and cited disparities that disproportionately affect women of color. Senator Richardson supported the resolution and recounted the history of national pay-equity litigation, noting the passage of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act as a corrective measure to earlier court rulings. "By highlighting the ongoing wage gap between men and women, we can prompt the much needed conversations and actions to gain pay equity," Richardson said.
Senator Smallwood Cuevas tied the measure to current worker actions and sectoral disparities, referencing home care, teaching and public-sector workforces as sectors with large numbers of women and lower pay relative to occupations traditionally held by men. She summarized recent statistics on earnings cited on the floor: "Even in 2025, a woman, a white woman, is making 80 cents on a dollar. A Black woman is making 60 cents on the dollar, and a Latina is making 40 cents on the dollar," she said.
Senator Valadez also spoke in support, framing pay equity as a matter of fairness and pro-work economic policy that strengthens families and reduces reliance on government programs. After brief floor remarks in favor, the Senate took a roll call and SR 31 was adopted unanimously.
Votes at a glance
- SR 31 (Women’s Equal Pay Day) — Adopted by roll call, Ayes 37, No 0. - Consent calendar (items read and adopted on consent, including item 140 and other bills as read on the record) — Adopted; roll call announced as Ayes 37, No 0. Specific bill details were read on the record but not debated on the floor and are not further specified in the transcript.
