Missouri Republicans DESPERATELY Work To Justify Voter-Approved Sick Leave Repeal

Missouri State Senator Mike Cierpiot recently penned a "special" to The Kansas City Star that merits consideration.

First and foremost, Sen. Cierpoit has our respect because he's a local elected official who has always worked for KC's best interests and been more than willing to engage the other side of the aisle when appropriate . . . As far as KCMO elected officials go, he's one of the best working in Jeff City. 

Nevertheless . . .  

Sen. Cierpoit's argument about recently repealed Missouri sick leave hinges on ALLEGED voter ignorance rather than hotly debated Jeff City GOP disrespect for Democracy. 

Moreover . . .

Mr. Cierpont's defense of this Missouri GOP repeal CONFIRMS that Show-Me State Republicans understand that their move has been unpopular with both conservatives and progressives who want their vote to count.

Again . . . Just to try and prove this isn't a partisan screed, we're pretty sure the hapless Missouri Dems won't be able to capitalize on this mistake and will suffer YET ANOTHER statewide sweep in the midterms.  

Back to the subject . . . Here's the crux of the column . . .  

"Proponents of an issue write language that accomplishes what they want, with no one offering opposing ideas or describing problems they are creating. They mislead it all with an increase in minimum wage in the first sentence, and then it states, “one hour of sick leave for every 30 hours worked,” and little else. Out-of-state money floods in to gather signatures from busy Missourians trying to buy groceries or some other activity. Many sign after hearing “increase minimum wage or paid sick leave.” A few read the short summary. No one reads the 5,641 actual words of new law."

Even better . . .

The State Senator offers his problems with the bill that we'll address in red type . . . 

Did you know from the fewer-than-100-word summary, you voted to:

Create criminal penalties for paid sick leave violations.

Sounds right; stealing wages is just as serious as an employee stealing who would also confront criminal charges. 

Make businesses decide rather they would comply with this law or existing state laws about public health?  Since employers cannot ask the reason for absences until after three days, it puts health care facilities, restaurants and grocery stores in impossible situations, complying with existing public health laws.

Yep, businesses should to have to plan for more sick leave and COMPLY WITH VOTERS.  

Allows frivolous lawsuits for three years about sick leave.

Again, employers who don't comply with the law and steal money from workers should face legal risks in the same way that workers who steal from employers face legal consequences for theft. 

As always, we encourage readers to respond and we welcome more debate even after 58% of the Missouri electorate already approved more sick leave for workers.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Missourians didn't really know what was in that sick leave petition they signed | Opinion

The initiative petition to give Missouri employees sick leave can make businesses like health care facilities, restaurants and grocery stores violate state law.

We don't normally do this but you can read the full column by following this link or with a library card.

You decide . . .