Female lawmakers highlight key issues for Nevada Legislature

By SEAN WHALEY REVIEW-JOURNAL CAPITAL BUREAU

7 years ago

Democratic lawmakers, including Sen. Joyce Woodhouse, left, and Assembly Majority Floor Leader Teresa Benitez-Thompson at the podium, talk about women’s issues at the Nevada Legislature on Monday. (Sandra Chereb/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Republican lawmakers, from left, Lisa Krasner, Jill Tolles, Robin Titus, John Hambrick, Melissa Woodbury and Paul Anderson talk about women’s legislative priorities in Carson City on Monday. (Sean Whaley/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

CARSON CITY — Women, who comprise a record-setting 40 percent of the state’s lawmakers, took time Monday to call attention to their issues as part of Women’s Week at the Nevada Legislature.

Democrats and Republicans held separate events to talk about issues coming forward in the 2017 session.

For Democrats, highlighted issues range from paid leave to equal pay to access to health care. Also a priority is the Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which passed the Senate last week and will be heard Tuesday in the Assembly.

Assembly Majority Floor Leader Teresa Benitez-Thompson, D-Reno, noted that March 1 “marked the start of Women’s History Month, and we’ve been busy in both houses ensuring we’re passing legislation to create more parity for women and families that women lead.”

Republicans cited many of their priorities identified in a previous document, including education reform, economic prosperity and health care.

Assemblywoman Jill Tolles, R-Reno, said many proposals are bipartisan, including measures to fight sex trafficking and extending the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse victims.

While the ERA has the support of Democrats in the Legislature, Republican support has been limited.

Assemblywoman Robin Titus, R-Wellington, said that, while Assembly Republicans support equal rights for women, the caucus has not taken a position on Senate Joint Resolution 2.

Contact Sean Whaley at swhaley@reviewjournal.com or 775-461-3820. Follow @seanw801 on Twitter. Contact Sandra Chereb at schereb@reviewjournal.com or 775-461-3821. Follow @SandraChereb on Twitter.