JACKSON, Mississippi — Although women constitute approximately half of the U.S. population, their representation in key financial roles like tax and budget committees remains disproportionately low in several states.
In Mississippi, for instance, there is currently only one woman on the 14-member Joint Legislative Budget Committee, which plays a crucial role in determining the state’s financial priorities, such as funding for schools, Medicaid, and prisons. This committee, wielding significant power, profoundly impacts both the legislative process and the lives of those who depend on state services. Second-term Senator Nicole Akins Boyd, who serves on this committee, was appointed by Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann. He emphasized that his selection was based on merit rather than gender balance. “I focus more on abilities; there are numerous capable individuals, both male and female,” he stated, affirming his belief in Boyd’s outstanding qualifications.
According to data from the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University, around 2,400 women hold positions in state legislatures across the nation, amounting to approximately 33% of total legislative seats. The majority, nearly 1,600, are from the Democratic Party, while over 800 are Republicans, with the remainder identifying as nonpartisan or independent. A review indicated that women occupied about 30% of seats on committees dealing with taxes and finances last year, even as they made up 31% of the total lawmakers in the states. However, the level of engagement varies significantly from state to state; for instance, Utah only had 5% of women in these roles in 2024, while Nevada boasted a higher figure of 62% in its last legislative session.
Jean Sinzdak, associate director at the Center for American Women and Politics, pointed out the typical trend in legislative committees, noting that those who have served longer often have the most sought-after committee positions. “Budget-related roles always rank among the most desirable,” she explained, highlighting the challenges in achieving a better gender balance as fewer women have historically held offices.
In the Mississippi legislature, women comprise just 15%, ranking it as the third-lowest state for female representation, following South Carolina and West Virginia. Collectively, women hold slightly more than 11% of the seats on Mississippi’s various financial committees. The state has never experienced a female governor or House speaker, with historical trends showing only two women having served as lieutenant governors in past decades, roles that are imperative for budgetary decisions.
Senator Boyd advocates for increased female participation, asserting that women enrich legislative dialogue with their unique perspectives. Boyd recalled a recent success when female legislators secured essential funding for the testing of evidence in rape cases, spearheading an effort to tackle a backlog that had obstructed legal proceedings, with support from male colleagues.
In West Virginia, Republican Delegate Kathie Hess Crouse expressed optimism about women’s ability to choose committee roles, mentioning that the limited representation in finance-related committees is often due to women prioritizing other areas of interest over financial roles. Crouse discussed how she has consistently received her preferred committee assignments in areas such as workforce development rather than finance, highlighting a personal decision rather than systemic barriers.
Contrastingly, Nevada has established a different narrative, being the first state to see a majority of women in the legislature in 2019. This shift is evident in key committee assignments, with women holding most positions on finance-related committees. Senator Marilyn Dondero Loop addressed the issue of personal relevance affecting funding allocations, yet she emphasized that decisions are made with a collective mindset for the benefit of all Nevadans, rather than a gender-based approach.
Elizabeth Steiner, a former co-chair of Oregon’s Ways and Means Committee, articulated the importance of incorporating women’s experiences into legislative decision-making. She noted that excluding a significant segment of the population from the conversation compromises the quality of governance for everyone.
Several states are witnessing a growing influence of women in finance leadership. Alaska’s House Finance Committee, for example, included a Republican woman as one of its co-chairs last year. Connecticut’s leadership boasts two Democratic women chairing the Appropriations Committee and another co-chairing Finance. Vermont similarly had women leaders overseeing its Appropriations committees. In South Carolina, women have historically lacked representation in budget committee leadership, with only three serving on a significant committee this year. One Republican woman who was gaining prominence on the Senate Finance Committee lost her primary election, resulting in an overall reduction of Republican women in the state’s Senate.
Efforts to address gender disparity in legislative finance roles continue, as the conversation around representation and its impact on state decision-making remains crucial for inclusive governance.
