A bill aimed at providing securities to employees inquiring into equal pay based on their sex was shot down in committee on Tuesday after the Governor’s Office sent a note to the bill sponsor saying the governor was “philosophically opposed” to the bill.
The bill, sponsored by house minority leader Craig Fitzhugh would have allowed employees to ask questions about their pay versus other employees without fear of retribution by their employer.
The bill also set up specific penalties for employers who violate equal pay laws in Tennessee.
While the bill had a lot of support, Fitzhugh said the bill was sent to summer study due to the Governor’s opposition.
“It was a bill that I got out of subcommittee last week and was feeling really good about it, because the department workforce, they weren’t against it.” Fitzhugh said. “But I got a note last night that the governor is philosophically opposed to preventing wage discrimination, so that meant that the bill was probably going to die.”
News Channel 5 reached out to the governor’s office for comment, but received no response.
