Wayne County committee backs resolution supporting Michigan Senate Bill 145 on pay equity

The Wayne County Government Operations Committee on March 2026 received a resolution from the Wayne County Women’s Commission endorsing Michigan Senate Bill 145, which would limit employers’ use of applicants’ prior wages, fringe benefits or credit history when making hiring and pay decisions. Cynthia Douglas, chair of the Wayne County Women’s Commission, and Commissioner Melissa Dobb presented the commission’s resolution and cited National Women’s Law Center figures showing women earn roughly 81–85% of what men earn in full‑time work, a disparity advocates said is compounded when employers rely on salary histories and credit checks.

"Relying on past salary allows inequities to follow women from job to job," Cynthia Douglas said, describing how prior‑pay inquiries and credit checks can codify historical discrimination. Commissioner Melissa Dobb and supporters asked the committee to receive and file the women’s commission submission and to advance a subsequent county resolution supporting Senate Bill 145 to the full Wayne County Commission.

Commissioner Dunn noted that several states have already barred employers from asking about salary history, including California, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York and Washington, and described the proposal as aligned with the month’s theme of economic stability for women. The committee voted to receive and file the women’s commission item and approved forwarding a county resolution supporting Senate Bill 145 to the full board (motion by Commissioner Killeen; second by Commissioner Wilson). The clerk announced the motion carried.

The county resolution that was read into the record references Michigan Senate Bill 145 and asks that a copy be sent to members of the Michigan Senate labor committee. The committee did not take a final vote on the state bill itself; the action was to receive the commission’s resolution and forward a county resolution for full‑commission consideration.