Today, Assemblyman Karl Brabenec (R,C,I-Deerpark) voted to enact historic women’s equality legislation that had long been held hostage by the New York City-controlled Assembly leadership. As a co-sponsor of many key pieces of the Women’s Equality Agenda, Brabenec expressed his excitement and relief that after years of political side-shows, this legislation will go to the governor’s desk to be signed into law. After pressure from Brabenec, his minority colleagues, and the public, the Assembly Majority announced they will no longer block votes on equal pay for equal work, anti-human trafficking bills, work-place fairness requirements, and other notable women’s equality measures.

“My father passed away when I was young and left my mother to raise my brother and me. It is for her and my daughter, Kimee, that I proudly fought for, and now have the opportunity to vote for, true women’s equality in the eyes of the law,” said Brabenec. “It’s regrettable that this extraordinary legislation couldn’t have been passed years ago, but I’m ecstatic to see that this will finally become law. We still have a number of women’s equality bills that need to be voted on, but this is certainly a good trend.”

Earlier this year, Brabenec and dozens of other legislators called on Assembly leadership to bring the Women’s Equality Act bills up individually for a vote, rather than in one controversial package.