© 2024 WUKY
background_fid.jpg
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Grimes, Jensen Join Paycheck Push

Two Kentucky Democratic candidates are joining President Obama’s push for passage of the Paycheck Fairness Act.

Both see it as a winning issue for their party in November.

U.S. Senate candidate Alison Lundergan Grimes and 6th District Andy Barr challenger Elisabeth Jensen are using the legislation to call attention to what they see as a gap between their positions and outdated policies supported by the GOP.

The Lexington Herald-Leader reports the email statements were released by the campaigns prior to President Obama’s scheduled remarks Tuesday. The Paycheck Fairness Act would add new language to the Equal Pay Act of 1963 requiring employers to prove that wage differences at their businesses are not based on an employees’ sex.

Republican opponents are calling the legislation an election-year distraction. They say the oft-quoted figure that women earn 77 cents for every dollar men earn is based on studies that ignore differences in positions and hours worked.

Josh James fell in love with college radio at Western Kentucky University's student station, New Rock 92 (now Revolution 91.7). After working as a DJ and program director, he knew he wanted to come home to Lexington and try his hand in public radio.