Want Equality Under The Law? Vote For It.

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By Jo Craycraft, Prescott

My goal is to get the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) ratified in Arizona, one of thirteen states holding out on this critical safeguard of women’s—and men’s—rights. Only one more state needs to ratify the ERA in order to have it be a constitutional amendment. The Arizona legislature had the opportunity to be that 38th state just last year, but House Republicans denied debate.

Why should this be a Republican or Democratic issue? The ERA guarantees that the rights set forth in the Constitution are meant for all citizens regardless of their sex. Importantly, it would define the meaning of sex discrimination for the courts so that both women and men can be assured of receiving consistent and fair legal adjudication of sex discrimination cases no matter where they live.

One of the most important results of ratification of the ERA would be the guarantee of equal pay for equal work, enabling women to finally achieve salary parity with men. This is not only critical for women in the work force, it is also critical to our economy as a whole. Guaranteeing women the salary they rightfully earn would lift many out of poverty or financial struggle, increase purchasing power and bolster a shrinking middle class.

Other issues of importance to women—and to families—are affordable access to good healthcare and childcare, and the availability of top-notch public schools for their children.

As senator of LD1, I will work hard to achieve these objectives.
My priorities as senator will be to address the most immediate needs of the people of Arizona. The four items at the top of my to-do list of legislation include changing existing Arizona laws that allow discrimination, which includes pushing as hard as possible for the ERA. My other priority issues are restoring public school funding to pre-recession levels, providing for a cleaner environment by expanding renewable energy sources and creating a more transparent and open state government. 

I hope to represent the citizens of LD1 in the Arizona Senate and have the opportunity to work hard for a fair, safe and prosperous Arizona for all citizens.

[Jo Craycraft (not pictured) is running to replace Karen Fann (also not pictured) as AZ Senator in our district. The election is Nov. 6, with mail-in and early voting set to begin the week of Oct. 10.]





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