Tonight's Vice Presidential Debate-Maltese's Op Ed Piece

I remember sitting in my Living Room watching the Late Geraldine Ferraro, U.S. Congresswoman, who was nominated to be a Vice Presidential Candidate-1984. I was 14 years of age; Geraldine was from my neighborhood with a broadcast of people encouraging her on. Geraldine was not the first U.S. Congressional Member to reach strong heights or outspoken to the core for Women to stand and ask for Equality- The Late Shirley Chisholm in 1972-but I was too young to fully understand the relevancy of her selection then. I felt so proud even then, to see a Women stand behind a Podium discussing what she felt were issues of importance to Women. The only women I saw behind a Podium were my teachers or Assistant Principals during school Assembly's. I had no idea then; how important those TV visuals would be.

Face track a few years-As a Political Scientist, BA, CUNY Queens College Graduate and 18 years of Practical Legislative Experiences; I now understand the relevancy of Women within Political Processes and what it means for them to make the ultimate sacrifices. Juggling their Careers in still today predominantly male supported roles. It's 100 years; that Women have had the right to vote-and that means only 100 years to Run for Elective Offices-Nationwide. I interned for the NYS Legislature in 1991, an Undergraduate from Queens College-only 18 of us selected within CUNY System to be involved in the practical aspects of what my major is-practical experiences are the catalyst to spark where future leaders transition too. By 1997, I rose up the ladder and held Two-Titles; Chief of Staff and Manager of Communications for Multiple Members of the Legislature, both Houses-NYS Senate and NYS Assembly. It's been an interesting journey as 30 years of 100 years of our Equality Rights-which to me means-The Right to Vote paved the way in be involved in Legislative Process. Tonight, while we watch the Vice Presidential Debate; only 90 minutes long tonight-ask yourselves the question; Have Women Risen enough within Legislative Process-Employment Fields offered within the Political Arena? If the Answer is NO; which is my answer today-ask yourselves why and what can be done to change our nation's view point of women not earning the same 100 Penny's for every dollar of employment as their male counterparts inside Process and still in the Private Sector.

Those of us in Public Service Sector Careers; within our Oaths of Office-which all of us Sign as a declaration to the People-or constituencies we represent; we take the Oath of Leadership and Charity. Charity does not mean we accept being underpaid-does it Ladies? It's within the Oath of Office-that NYS Public Sector-the NYS Legislature in particular MUST meet NYS Labor Standards in employment positions provided to Public Sector Women. We are the women; that Private Sector Women look too as Role Models-as one of Achievement; we respect women who enter into Leadership Roles because they Became Decision Makers for Mass Population-or their Communities-but many of us as High Ranked Staff Members are not earning the Dollar in Full-we are undermined and underpaid while taking on Dual Titles of Employment for One Salary. Several well known Good Government Groups have provided analysis of such-such as the 2014 Legislative Breakdown of the 50 Highest Paid Staffers-suddenly my name was not included-but I did work along side several holding 2 Titles, but not earning salary as several. This Employment Practice is unacceptable because NYS Legislature is Permitting Women to allow themselves to be undervalued and by doing so; it's sends a universal message to the Private Sector that this Practice is Acceptable.

The Governor of NYS has the perception wrong-We-the Female Staff of NYS Legislature-are the Example and not earning the True Dollar Amounts for One Employment Title of if we; as Women advance through NYS Employment and are asked to take on TWO Employment Roles or More At the SAME TIME-then Pay Rates or Earnings Must Meet that Employment Agreement. Many of us sign Employment Contracts without proper guidance and we do not have an office or liaison within Human Resource Department to discuss it with-it's a take it or leave it attitude. That does not provide positive work environment for any staff member-but when a Female Employee of NYS can demonstrate inequality, unequal wages, gross ranges of employment disparity-while she performed her duties-then earnings performed need to be taken into light to provide wage increases. When a Former NYS Legislative Female Employee raises the issue after successful completion of employment service-NYS must review the matter (under Oath requires it)-and if found in my favor-introduced retroactive Legislative Bill languages to correct the situation. By Introducing Earnings in Fairness Legislative Bill-The Maltese Legislation-it will correct injustices of inequality of earnings within the NYS Legislature for Women. Women are not equal if they are not earning the same Dollar amount as Noted Peers with the Same Position or Multiple ones-and if you add in Tenure of Service-Excellence in Service; but the Employer-NYS-in particular did not factor that in-then changes in Rules of HRA must be implemented providing Women Staff Members with Recourse.

Tonight, it's important for the the TWO Vice Presidential Candidates to discuss where they See the Women's Movement Future? What have they both done previously to ensure that Women are treated Equally under existing laws-and what steps going forward-will they take to ensure that Women in Various Titles of Service-receive Employment Earnings Reflective of The Titles-or Positions required by their Employers-and what Retroactive Bill Languages must be implemented to grant Women (I do mean grant-as it doesn't Legislatively Exist) the opportunity to submit claims for review and earnings compensation where warranted.

Many discuss the issue of Pro-Choice or Pro-Life surrounding the Women's Movement; this is incredibly relative and understandably sensitive to some; but as a Women's Right to Fairness-Equality of Earnings are Woven Around our Fight for Choice-for Equality of Earnings-and Now for Justice in Earnings in NYS-it's important for Women Voters to stay tuned and listen to those Candidates who say; "I want to represent you". Great-where are you on Right to Equality of Earnings and my Right of Choice?

It's one Vote-for Both of these important issues at the same time within the NYS Budget. In 1984, while watching and smiling-I didn't make that connection as a 14 year old, but now 30 years later-how I have learned where we still Stand as Women.

I'm a Pro-Choice Candidate, within the 12th NYS Assembly District-Members who held the Seat and Presently speaking One running for the Seat is Not a Pro-Choice Candidate and by that standard-they are not for Equality in Earnings. If you're unsure of my teachings here-reach out to their Campaign Offices and inquire for yourself on where the candidate sits on this One Vote.

It's imperative friends and neighbors to take a few minutes to think about what that could mean for Women of NYS; if the Conservative Supreme Court Nominee Barrett is confirmed by the U.S Senate. If that occurs and we don't get Equality in Earnings- It could mean that Women in NYS -(and take a look at UTAH's portions of Women's issues as well-do- a cross-reference) that we in NYS might lose in our ability of Right of Choice and presently-Women aren't Earning the Same Dollar in NYS still.

If Women-in NYS are not Earning the Same Dollar-then Women are not Equal, and if we aren't Earning the Same Dollar for the Same Job Titles-then- if we need to pay for Legal Services and we can't because of Inequality of Earnings-then we are not Equal. Perhaps, worse-rejected at the Court House because Counsel for Non-criminal Matters is not a requirement. Thus-based on this equation-not the pretty one with the white picked fence view- Forced to live on Social Services based on hopefully your Choice as a Woman.

Our Celebration of 100 Years of the Right to Vote is when Equality should have taken impact in the Workforce-as Equality truly means- in Women's Earnings-not potential earnings but actual earnings. The Old Statements by the women's movement "We're fighting for it-isn't the Slogan any further". We have the Right of Equality-but we're not Earning in the same capacity for the Roles in Employment we take on-and once we have Equality of Earnings-then we are Equal and fairness of A Women's Personal Choice is then Fair. I'm a Pro-Choice Democratic with a Moderate Stance of Economics; I respect my Female Peers who Stand Up and Say-I'm out there two Earning, but Not being Paid Justifiably for Employment Roles and Titles performed at excellence-I need recourse Maryann to do so. I can not tell you how often I heard that during my 18 years of Practical Experiences within the NYS Legislature-diligently assisting Women with their Personal Matters and Pleas of help. They always got my ear-and Implementation if warranted. Now-is our time to refocus our direction and ensure that Equality of Earnings-in the Workforce happens now-not 100 more years down the line in NYS. NYS Is the Role Model for the Country to look to-and we're still not paying Employment Earnings at Same Standard Rates in NYS Public Sector! That's not question-it's a statement.

Which VP Candidate Stands with us-Women seeking Employment Equality of Earnings? If the President becomes Terminally or Unable to continue to perform their duties of Service-who will be Strong enough to Carry on the Women's Right of Equality- Harris or Pence? Feel free to share your viewpoints with me, maryannmaltesefornysassembly@gmail.com

Tonight; sit and listen to them-it's Live; then make a decision if you heard me to not.

Maryann Maltese, former Communications Regional Manager for NYS Legislature for 18 years. Maryann has 30 years of Political Campaign Management Experiences; on the Federal and State Levels. Maryann is a licensed Hair Stylist and Business Owner in Huntington. Maryann, is also licensed Real Estate Associate with Weichert Realtors, Cow Harbor Realty.