BY ADELE SAMMARCO

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

Gubernatorial candidate, State Senator Barbara Buono (D-Metuchen), spoke out on Equal Pay Day to highlight the wage gap that still exists in New Jersey, calling it "mind-boggling."  Buono has been on the campaign trail since announcing her run against incumbent Republican Governor Chris Christie, who has vetoed legislation that help ensures pay equity.

On average, women in New Jersey earn just 78 cents for every dollar made by their male counterparts. State Senator Nia Gill (D-Essex) and WOCA-Essex NOW President Maretta Jackson Short joined Senator Buono Tuesday to denounce wage discrimination and demand equal pay for equal work.

“It’s unacceptable that women in New Jersey today are still not guaranteed equal pay for equal work under the law,” Senator Buono said in a statement. “Pay equity would provide middle class families with greater economic security and relief including those who have seen their paychecks dwindle over the past three and a half years. Ending wage discrimination in New Jersey requires real leadership; and I look forward to leading the fight as governor.”

As a state senator, Barbara Buono worked to abolish wage discrimination and sponsored legislation urging Congress to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act. Buono vows, if elected governor, to end wage inequality in New Jersey and "put it on notice" once and for all. 

It's been almost fifty years since the Equal Pay Act and the Civil Rights Act were passed. Despite that time, New Jersey women still earn significantly less than what men earn for a full time job. Buono calls it inexcusable that after a half century later, the issue has yet to be resolved.

Democrats say thousands of men and women across the state support the legislation. Many see it is more than just a women's issue; rather more a family issue, especially in today's economy with a lack of jobs.  More than 431,000 households in New Jersey are headed by women who say equal pay is not just about fairness, it is about strengthening families so they could put food on their tables.

Last year, Buono sponsored a resolution calling on Congress to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act of 2012, and her campaign says it is taking it one step further. Buono's office has set up a petition on their website, urging Congress to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act.  Buono says, "The bill will ensure wage differences are based on genuine job differenes, and not based on gender, making sure every working and middle class families get a fair shake."