John Marty's Agenda for Minnesota's Future: Women

Vision

Women in 1994 still spend enormous amounts of time fighting for the basic rights men take for granted. John Marty believes in equal rights and fair treatment for every Minnesotan. On issues such as reproductive rights, economic fairness and domestic violence, John has continually proven his leadership in the state legislature. From his voting record to the staff that surrounds him, he recognizes how critical women are for building Minnesota`s future.

Record

• "A" rating from the National Organization for Women (NOW) for outstanding leadership on women`s issues.
• Endorsed for Governor by MN NOW Political Committee.
• Endorsed for Governor by the DFL Feminist Caucus.
• Authored a women and children's supplemental budget to fund sliding fee child care, family planning services, domestic abuse advocacy programs, the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) nutritional program and Head Start.
• Authored bill to replace the repressive parental notification law with "trusted adult" legislation.
• Authored legislation doubling statute of limitations for sexual harassment cases vetoed by Arne Carlson in 1991.
• Co-authored early anti-stalking legislation.
• Co-authored Freedom of Choice Act.

John Marty's Agenda for Women's Rights

Protect Reproductive Rights

Every woman has the right to obtain a safe and legal abortion. Lately, access to that right has been severely curtailed, sometimes with violent measures by those opposing legalized abortion. It is necessary to reduce the number of abortions, not by making them illegal or difficult to obtain, but by preventing unwanted pregnancies. As Governor, John will:

• Protect medical personnel and women seeking abortion services by enforcing laws to assure women seeking an abortion are not blocked or harassed into leaving. It is outrageous some doctors and clinic administrators in Minnesota must wear bullet-proof vests to work.
• Replace the oppressive parental notification law with a more humane "trusted adult" legislation allowing a young woman to seek and secure counseling and ask an adult other than a parent to help her decide how to handle an unwanted pregnancy.
• Make family planning services available in every Minnesota county, regardless of income. Family planning services help avoid unwanted pregnancies and reduce future taxpayer costs for public assistance by $4.40 for every dollar spent.
• Make pre-natal health care services available to all pregnant women.

Expand Economic Opportunities

Forty percent of Minnesota's female-headed families live in poverty. It is appalling that women still earn only 71 cents for every dollar a man earns. The frustrating cycle of welfare forces many women to choose between working--often without health benefits for her and her children--or remaining on public assistance. This is not a choice. As Governor, John will:

• Support economic development opportunities for women and minorities. Minnesota must provide all people the opportunity to find self-sufficiency and dignity by working. John will make capital and technical assistance available to small businesses, especially those owned by women and minorities.
• Provide education and training opportunities for women anxious to get off welfare but who have no skills or work history. John will fully fund the STRIDE program giving welfare recipients the help and services they need to find suitable employment. He will reinstate the MEED program which encourages creation of new and permanent jobs for unemployed people while helping small businesses grow.
• Make affordable childcare available to all working parents. Fully funding the sliding fee child care program would remove a huge barrier for thousands of low-income mothers who are unable to work or who try to work but are forced to leave young children at home for several hours every day without adult supervision.
• Require businesses with state contracts to have pay equity guidelines.

Enforce Domestic Violence & Sexual Harassment Laws

Tragically in Minnesota many women cannot find safety and refuge even in their own homes. Domestic violence against children and women is at epidemic proportions, yet many shelters must turn away families in need, and in many rural areas services are unavailable or stretched to their limits. As Governor, John will:

• Provide domestic abuse advocacy services and shelter for battered women and their children in every county in Minnesota.
• Continue to strengthen restraining order laws so women who seek court protection from their abusers have confidence in their safety.
• Double the statute of limitations for discrimination complaints, including sexual harassment, to ensure victims of discrimination have sufficient healing time to file changes or compile proof.
• Support and fund non-violent conflict resolution programs in the public schools to teach respect and educate children that violence and degradation are not the answer to one's problems.

Prepared by Minnesotans for Marty, 2161 University Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55114 Telephone/Fax: (612)644-5775/644-4131

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