Republican state lawmakers in Missouri failed in their attempt to overturn a voter-approved increase in the state's minimum wage to $15 an hour and the introduction of guaranteed paid sick leave. This effort, which sought a partial repeal, was blocked in the Senate due to internal disagreements within the Republican party.
Democrats and labor groups strongly opposed the repeal, citing the will of the voters (57% approved the initial measure). Debate lasted over 18 hours, with Democrats successfully blocking the proposed changes. Senate President Cindy O'Laughlin, a Republican, actively lobbied for the repeal, portraying the law as an 'economic bomb' and expressing concerns about potential worker abuse of paid sick leave.
The Republican-proposed changes included exemptions for specific professions (on-call hospital workers, barge operators) and companies with fewer than 25 full-time employees. The implementation date would also be delayed from May 1st to August 1st. Democrats argue these exemptions could exclude up to 90% of employers, despite the initiative's strong support across the state, including Republican districts.
Business groups are also challenging the new law before the Missouri Supreme Court. This attempt to overturn the voter-approved initiative is the latest in a series of efforts by the Republican majority to overturn citizen-led ballot measures, including attempts to block abortion legalization, Medicaid expansion, and marijuana legalization.
The legislation in question is House Bill 567.