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Whitmer’s new executive directive aims to tackle equal pay

Officials in state departments and agencies can’t ask potential employees about their pay history.

   The new rule signed by governor Gretchen Whitmer today.

Governor Whitmer says the new rule – which only applies to potential state employees, could help end the gender pay gap. In a statement, Whitmer said women earn 78 cents for every dollar men earn – and it’s time for that to change.

    Judy Welch is the executive director for the West Michigan branch of Michigan Women Forward. She says she wants other businesses to follow suit.

   “It’s a start. Everything has to have a starting point so hopefully.”

Critics of the move say there is an earnings gap, not a pay gap. They say women earn less than men overall because they take different jobs that tend to pay less.