The California State Senate on May 1 adopted Senate Resolution 31, recognizing Women’s Equal Pay Day and drawing attention to persistent wage disparities that affect women across the state.

The resolution’s author, Senator Wahab, told colleagues the measure “acknowledges that 4 out of 10 women experience gender discrimination, that 4 out of 10 mothers are the primary breadwinners in their household but cannot provide financial security to their families.” She added: “Women today continue to make less than their male counterparts in every sector of the workforce. And black, Latina, and Native American women earn less than their white counterparts.”

Senator Richardon, speaking in support, cited historical and recent federal action aimed at pay discrimination: “Friends, in the past 2 decades, the gender wage gap has moved from women earning 72¢ for every dollar as compared to their male counterparts in 1984 to 85¢ for every dollar earned by a male now in 2024. At this rate, it will take us 30 to 40 years to reach parity. 1 of my finest moments of serving in Congress was passing the Lilly Ledbetter Act.”

Senator Smallwood Cuevas highlighted occupational segregation and disparities by race and ethnicity: “When I think about the home care workers movement and the fight for pay equity, when I think about the teachers movement and the fight for pay equity…Even in 2025, a woman, a white woman, is making 80¢ on a dollar. A black woman is making 60¢ on the dollar, and a Latina a Latina is making 40¢ on the dollar.”

Senator Valadez framed the resolution as a matter of fairness and economic stability: “When women are paid fairly, families are stronger, communities are more stable, and we reduce the need for government programs.”

The Senate proceeded to a roll call; the clerk announced the result as Ayes 37, No 0 and the resolution was adopted. The chamber also adopted its consent calendar later in the session, with the clerk recording Ayes 37, No 0 on consent calendar item 140.

Votes at a glance: SR 31 — Adopted (Ayes 37, No 0). Consent calendar (item 140) — Adopted (Ayes 37, No 0).

Background: SR 31 is a chamber resolution that recognizes Women’s Equal Pay Day and urges awareness and actions to close pay gaps. During the floor remarks senators cited long-standing wage gaps, disparities by race and occupation, and the Lilly Ledbetter Act — a federal law addressing pay discrimination — as context for the resolution. The resolution itself is a formal expression of the Senate’s position; it does not create new law.