Governor Jay Nixon (D) has vetoed two workplace-related bills passed by Missouri lawmakers this year. They are the first vetoes issued this year.
First, he vetoed the House version of the workplace discrimination bill, which would have redefined discrimination as a “motivating factor” instead of a “contributing factor” in any action taken by an employer against a worker. The Senate version of the bill is still alive, however. It was sponsored by State Senator Brad Lager (R, Savannah).
“The governor’s action, what he’s really done is he’s continued to perpetuate this climate that is gonna limit the economic opportunities for the citizens of this state," Lager said. "Citizens are gonna continue to struggle because they’re not gonna have the same job creation opportunities as other states.”
In his veto letter, Nixon said that bill would have weakened Missouri’s workplace discrimination standards. Lager is also a candidate for Lt. Governor.
The governor also vetoed a proposed workers’ comp fix – it would have barred employees from suing each other for workplace illnesses and injuries and would have placed occupational disease claims solely within the workers’ comp system.
