Equal Pay For Women's History Month

Pink Blazer - H&M
Black & White Stripe Shirt - Old Navy
Pink Belt - Old Navy
Silver Link Necklace - Top Shop

March is Women's History Month. Perfect timing to talk about Senate Bill 190. 

SB 190 was introduced in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday, March 2nd. This bill will allow women to recover up to two years of back pay and benefits if they were the victim of pay discrimination. This bill will also prevent employer retaliation against employees who share information about their pay with coworkers.

The Sponsor of Senate Bill 190  has said to media outlets that "Passing a strong equal pay bill will send a message that we’re committed to fairness for all Nevadans".

According to a study by  Center for American Progress Action Fund, women in Nevada make around $.85 per dollar than a male.

Click HERE to watch a video of the actual hearing of the bill.

Click HERE for entire Bill text.

Not Built For Easy & 4th Graders

I took a step back to see if I was okay with walking away from the blog for a bit. Starting this blog has become harder than I thought it would be. But in the words of Tupac "I don't want it if its that easy". Journalism has been in my blood since I was a child. But getting back to writing is taking more effort than I thought. Creating LaurenUnscripted during Legislative Session has taken courage and more time than I expected.  With 1000+hits in less than three months, I have come too far to turn just stop. My week long break ended up being a week of brainstorming, creating and revamping.  

Last week I had the pleasure to host the 4th graders of Andre Agassi Preparatory Academy. It was important for me to make sure these children got the royal treatment while on this field trip. I might have been more excited than the students. The Principal (who happens to have been my third grade teacher) was introduced on the Senate Floor and the students were acknowledged by the Lt. Governor, Senator of District 4 and Senate Majority Leader.  They were also joined by another Senator at lunch. One Assemblyman made a special trip to the Senate Chambers, just to shake each child's hand and take pictures. That was truly special for them. 

Andre Agassi Prep Girl Power Girls

Andre Agassi Forth Grade Class 

Fashion Friday- Thrifted

Orange Tweed Cropped Jacket - Thrift Store in Santa Monica, California
Tri-Color Braided Belts - Aldo (old)
Chocolate Dress Pants - Ann Taylor

I am a fan of thrift stores.  (I can see a lot of noses turning up)

Not all the time will you stumble upon a $6 Chanel tweed jacket. (I did)  Sometimes you might get lucky and find items that still have the tags on them. I clean out my closet a few times a year. I always donate items with the tags still on them. Quite often there are items I have only worn once, or I bought too small or too big.

Consider driving to an upscale area with a lot of retiree's. For example: the Goodwill in the Summerlin area is amazing. I bet you won't turn your nose up when you find that vintage Gucci clutch.

How about this: Clean out your closet, take those items to the thrift store. Don't just drop the bag off at the door. Look around, go through the racks. 

Most important  - Take  the item to a good dry cleaners. 

  

That's What She Said

"Success is liking yourself, 

liking what you do,

 and liking how you do it."

~Maya Angelou

Assemblyman Wants to End Daylight Savings

Ugh, the Monday after we move our clocks forward.  Rough isn't the word. 

One Nevada Assemblyman wants to put a stop to it. 

 Assembly Joint Resolution 4  was heard on February 26th.

If AJR4 passes this Session it still has to go through Congress. 

It  wouldn't be implemented until  2017 Legislative Session. 

Texas and Utah have failed in there efforts to stop the clocks from changing. 

A few reasons for the change:

Better health benefits 

Save energy by using less lights

On the other hand:

How will this effect businesses that depend on the time change?

Will tourism be effected from neighboring states like California?

Click HERE to watch the actual hearing 

Click HERE for the entire text of the Resolution

Click HERE to follow this Resolution 

Lauren Unscripted is Off to a Great Start

I am elated!

Over 600 views in less than two months!

 This is without social media. 

My biggest supporters are those I least expected.   

Thank you to my family and friends for the encouragement and motivation.

#LaurenUnscripted 

No Political Agenda

BeBe Dress (old)
Pink Belt - Old Navy
Black Suede boots (old)

With so many bills coming through everyday, its hard for me to decide what to blog about.

I want to blog about bills my audience will care about or I want to explain why you should care.   The "popular" bill of the day, might not be a bill that you guys are interested in.  I don't want to turn anyone off using big words and describing a bill that might not even make it through committee.

Yes, I know, you have heard about guns, construction defects, school bond, and taxes all over the news and social media. I don't think its time to bring out those issues just yet. I am still trying to figure them out  myself. At some point I will let you know what these bills mean to you and how you will be effected.

I have to be very careful on the bills I highlight, suggest or mention. I am not here to push the agenda of any political party.  The purpose is to make the Legislative process and potential laws understandable, in hopes to get you to care enough and get involved or vote!

Some might suggest "That's a Republicans bill, you should't be talking about that".  However, if a Republican  bill is a good bill and will help make Nevada better, than it will be mentioned.  On the other hand, if the Democrats are trying to pass a law that that would hurt us, I will show you the pro's and cons.

All is in effort to produce change (or not). You decide. I am just giving you some details to help you decide.

Feel free to click the links below for a list of bills and you can follow or look up yourself.

                               Senate Bills                                                             Assembly Bills

                                   As of today, here are the bills that have passes already. 

6am Flights, House of Cards, & The Governor's Mansion

What a busy week! Well, after exactly one month into Legislative Session, every week should be a  busy week. After three weeks in a row of waking up at 4am to catch a 6am flight I am tired! I am very impressed by the Senators, Assemblyman, Assemblywomen and Lobbyist who go home every weekend. It takes a lot out of you.

We waited almost a year for House of Cards to return. I managed to get through all 13 episodes in 48 hours. I even found a few Legislators as characters. ( I will never tell) In my opinion, season 3 wasn't as good as the previous one. But I still love me some Francis and Claire.

Receptions. The one guaranteed thing that doesn't change during Session. There are several receptions a week, Sometimes two in   one night.  I don't attend all of them, I will show my face at a few.   Its really hard to practice the "art of networking" after a 12 hour      work day. I do manage to freshening up my lipstick and work the room.  Some people go for the free food and wine. I can never eat, because I am too busy talking. and shaking hands.  It is nice to have a conversation outside of the office. Of course we try not to talk about work, but that is really why we all are there for is work.  This week I enjoyed the reception at the Governors Mansion. They are always classy (and I live directly across the street, which made it very easy).

The Difference Between State Senate & State Assembly

Senate - Upper House

Assembly - Lower House

I have worked for both a State Senator and a State Assemblyman.  During the transition between the two, I was often asked:

 What is the difference between a Senator and Assemblyman?

                                   

	SENATE	ASSEMBLY
Presiding Officer	Lieutenant Governor	Speaker of the Assembly
Members	21	42
Terms	4 years	2 years
House Leaders	Majority  Floor Leader	Speaker of the Assembly

• There are two Assembly Districts in one Senate District.  (Senate District 1 has 2 Assemblyman/Assemblywoman. 
• Each house has the power to establish its own rules and select its own officers.
• At the Legislature blue is used for Senate and red is used for Assembly. 

Senate Bill 133 - Here You Go Teachers

I think my Nevada Teachers will like this bill.

Senate Bill 133 - Click for actual language of the bill

Authorizes the reimbursement of teachers for certain out-of-pocket expenses.

     

This bill will allow teachers to be reimbursed up to $100 per year on necessary school supplies. There was no debate in this Committee Hearing. It was pretty straight forward. 

Who can argue with paying teachers back $100 for what they spend to help students succeed.  As a Teachers Assistant for a few months, I definitely spent at least $100. 

Click here to follow SB133  all the way to the Senate and Assembly Floor.