HomeMy WebLinkAbout19-043 - ADMIN Resolution - City Council - 2019/03/18Resolution No. 19-043
Resolution in support of an Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)
Whereas, the City of St. Louis Park supports equal rights for the citizens of St. Louis Park;
and
Whereas, the Minnesota Constitution does not explicitly guarantee that all rights that it
protects are held equally by all citizens without regard to gender; and
Whereas, bills have been introduced in both the House and Senate stating “equality
under the law must not be abridged or denied on account of gender;” and
Whereas, women constitute over 50 percent of the citizenry and women play a critical
role in families, the workplace, and in society as a whole, contributing to our economy and
advancing our nation; and
Whereas, women continue to confront a lack of political parity, workplace
discrimination, health care inequities, disparate rates of poverty, sexual assault and domestic
violence; and
Whereas, the Equal Rights Amendment is required in order to provide gender -based
equality in our courts and laws because the Supreme Court has repeatedly held that the 14th
Amendment does not apply specifically to issues of gender; and
Whereas, although laws prohibiting gender discrimination exist, they can be repealed or
reduced by a simple majority in the legislature; and
Whereas, an Equal Rights Amendment would help correct systemic gender
discrimination; and
Whereas, Minnesota requested that Congress propose an Equal Rights Amendment
(ERA) in April of 1949 and then ratified the federal ERA in February of 1973 – yet still does not
have sex or gender equality guaranteed in its own state constitution;
Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the City of St. Louis Park calls on the Minnesota
Senate and House to pass a bill for an act proposing an amendment to the Minnesota
Constitution, known as the Equal Rights Amendment, providing for gender equality under the law.
Reviewed for administration: Adopted by the City Council March 18, 2019
Thomas K. Harmening, City Manager Jake Spano, Mayor
Attest:
Melissa Kennedy, City Clerk
DocuSign Envelope ID: 4F13504B-D52A-41E0-BBC6-6A498200D928