Title
Notice/Advertisement Title: Pay Transparency Public Hearing
Contact Name: Amaris Lemus
Contact Telephone Number: 614-327-1257
Contact Email Address: aslemus@columbus.gov
Body
Thursday, October 23, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. at Columbus City Hall in Council Chambers
A public hearing on proposed pay transparency legislation was held.
Councilmembers in attendance: Councilmember Lourdes Barroso de Padilla (CM BdP), Councilmember Emmanuel Remy, Councilmember Otto Beatty; Council President Shannon Hardin
Agenda:
• Call to order and introduction - Councilmember Barroso de Padilla
• Presentation on legislation - Kirsten Estose, Legislative Research Office, City Council
• Questions and public comments - public testimony
• Closing remarks - Councilmember Barroso de Padilla
Minutes:
• CM BdP opens the hearing and describes the proposed pay legislation, describes its purpose, and why it is needed.
• CM Remy speaks, acknowledges the importance of the proposed legislation.
• CM BdP introduces Legislative Analyst Kirsten Estose.
• Kirsten Estose presents on the details of the proposed legislation; its background; its benefits; and recognizes disabled women’s pay day.
• CM BdP discusses more about the importance of the legislation and asks Kirsten Estose questions about the legislation (its impact on small businesses).
• Kirsten Estose discusses when the law goes into effect, when enforcement of the law begins, and the law’s impact on small businesses.
-• CM BdP asks Kirsten Estose how the legislation actually furthers its goal of reducing pay inequity.
• Kirsten Estose responds.
• CM BdP introduces the speakers.
• Liz Gordon-Canlas from Zora’s House speaks in favor of the legislation.
• CM BdP speaks briefly about the mothering big table conversation.
• Elizabeth Brown from YWCA Columbus speaks in favor of the legislation.
• CM BdP speaks about the importance of internal pay transparency within public and nonprofit organizations.
• Barb Smoot from Women for Economic and Leadership Development speaks in favor of the legislation.
• Council President Hardin asks who would oppose the legislation and what the reason for the opposition would be.
• Barb Smoot responds to Council President Hardin’s question.
• Kelley Grismer from The Women’s Fund of Central Ohio speaks in favor of the legislation.
• CM BdP responds to Kelley Grismer’s testimony and thanks her for writing her op-ed for the Columbus Dispatch.
• Hannah Reed from the Columbus Women’s Commission speaks in favor of the legislation.
• CM BdP responds to Hannah Reed’s testimony and thanks the Women’s Commission for their advocacy and support for the legislation.
• Joe Henry from Central Ohio Labor Council, AFL-CIO speaks in favor of the legislation.
• CM BdP responds to Joe Henry’s testimony.
• La Baker from LBB Entertainment/Women’s Fund of Central Ohio speaks in favor of the legislation.
• CM BdP responds to La Baker’s testimony.
• Fran Feehan from Women for Economic and Leadership Development speaks in favor of the legislation.
• CM BdP responds to Fran Feehan’s testimony.
• Councilmember Beatty asks about the background of the exemption for small businesses.
• Kirsten Estose responds to Councilmember Beatty’s question, describing the exemption.
• CM BdP further answers CM Beatty’s question, describing the adverse impact of the legislation on small businesses.
• CM Beatty discusses the impact of pay transparency on internal employee dynamics
• CM BdP responds to CM Beatty’s comments, then thanks her team, Kirsten Estose, the speakers, the Columbus Chamber of Commerce, and the Human Service Chamber.
• CM BdP concludes the hearing.