Under the threat of a rare motion that could have angered some senators, the state senate has rejected a raise for lawmakers and elected officials.
The Missouri State Senate Chamber (courtesy; Missouri Senate)
Two senators, Maria Chappelle-Nadal (D-University City) and Jason Holsman (D-Kansas City), appeared ready on Wednesday to fight for that raise to go through. They were part of a more than hour-long discussion Wednesday in what most considered a filibuster, though Holsman said it was simply a discussion.
The legislature had only until Sunday to approve the resolution to reject the pay raise. With lawmakers going home for the weekend Thursday afternoon, if a filibuster had prevented a vote on Thursday the resolution would have failed and the pay raise would have gone into effect.
Senate Republicans said state legislators and elected officials should not get a raise while state employees are among the lowest paid in the nation. They felt strongly enough on that point that they were prepared to call the previous question: a rare motion that would force an end to debate and a vote. Forcing a senator to stop speaking can lead to an adversarial tone in a chamber that emphasizes equality among members and allowing them all to be heard.
Senators Chappelle-Nadal and Holsman spoke on Thursday to say they were letting the resolution go to a vote. It passed 31-3, meaning the pay raise was rejected.
