BOSTON – Today Massachusetts Senate President Harriette Chandler (D-Worcester) appointed Senator Pat Jehlen (D-Somerville) to serve on the Pay Equity Special Commission. The special commission will investigate, analyze, and study the factors, causes, and impact of pay disparity, building on Senator Jehlen’s landmark equal pay legislation that was signed into law in 2016.

“There is still so much we need to learn about how the pay gap truly impacts Massachusetts families. We need to uncover why it impacts some professions so deeply. We must continue asking why tipped workers, homecare aides, early education and care professionals – industries with predominantly female workforces – are paid alarmingly low wages,” said Senator Jehlen.  “I am grateful to Senate President Chandler for appointing me to this commission, and look forward to continuing our search for solutions that close the gender wage gap in all sectors of the Massachusetts workforce.”