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Missouri Legislature Races to Push Two Different Right to Work Measures


The Missouri Legislature has been busy this week.  In fact, I would go so far as to say they have maintained a frantic pace to push through two different right to work measures ahead of the end of the legislative session this Friday evening.

For those that have not been following the right to work fight in Missouri, let me streamline the long and drawn out process.  Republicans in the state managed to pass a right to work bill late last year.  The Republican Governor, Eric Greitens, proceeded to sign the bill into law.  Before it could take effect, however, opponents of the bill managed to collect enough votes to put the right to work measure on the ballot for voters to decide whether the bill would become law.  As a result, voters in Missouri would be charged with having the final say as to whether Missouri's right to work bill would actually go into effect.  While it was presumed that voters would have a say on the matter in November, there has recently been a push to put the matter on the August primary ballot instead.  Unions and pro-labor groups quickly cried foul and claimed this attempt to move the date to August was a ploy to have fewer voters have a say in the matter (as August primary voter turnout is normally lower than voter turnout in November).  Undeterred, Republicans in the state are currently moving along a measure that would do just that.  That proposal is currently one of the right to work measures moving through the Missouri Legislature. 

The other right to work measure moving along quickly would place a right to work amendment in the state constitution. While the Governor would not be required to sign off on this amendment, voters would still have to give final approval.   The question again centers on whether voters would vote on the right to work constitutional amendment in August or November.  That proposal cleared the Missouri House Monday evening with a 93 - 54 vote.  It now proceeds to the Senate for further debate and a vote.

Will either right to work bill be decided before Friday?  I suspect so.  The question is whether the right to work bill approved by the Missouri Legislature will find a resolution first (by way of a definitive date for voters in the state to vote on the matter) or whether it will be the constitutional amendment (with voters again having to approve a change to the constitution) before Friday evening.

Stay tuned.


For additional information:  http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/missouri-house-and-senate-continue-drive-protect-right-work-law#stream/0

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