Idaho women are paid 60 percent of what men are paid, across all industries, according to the U.S. Census, placing Idaho among the four worst states in the nation for such pay disparity. Rep. Anne Pasley-Stuart, D-Boise, drew a unanimous vote of support in the House today for a resolution, HCR 23, to "recognize the importance of women's pay equity to the well-being of Idaho families and to recognize April 28, 2009 as equal pay day." She told the House, "If full pay is achieved, it could cut our rate of poverty in half - that's right, in half." Co-sponsor Rep. Donna Boe, D-Pocatello, said equal pay day denotes that to earn the same amount Idaho men earn from working five days a week for 12 months, Idaho women would have to work seven days a week for 16 months. The resolution now moves to the Senate.

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