Governor Nixon has vetoed two of the key parts of the Republican legislative platform, saying bills on employment discrimination and workers’ compensation are steps backward for civil rights and workers.
The legislature passed the employment discrimination bill that is little changed from the bill the governor vetoed last year. Backers say it rolls back Missouri’s standards to the original civil rights act of 1964 and its amendment in 19-91. They say courts have taken the law too far. Nixon says the Republican bill makes it easier for employers to discriminate against people with disabilities or cancer, and against women, older workers, and minorities. Other critics also say it weakens protections for whistleblowers.
Nixon complains the workers’ comp bill weakens protections for workers who have workplace-caused serious injuries or deadly diseases
The governor says Missouri’s economy is making good progress and regressions rights and worker safety will not help the economy.
The Republicans have enough senators that they can vote to override the vetoes But both bills fell far short on final passage of the votes needed for a House override.
Supporters of the bills expected the vetoes and say they hope Nixon will now negotiate with them on compromise legislation. Nixon showed no interesting in doing so last year, when he vetoed an almost identical bill to the workers’ comp legislation.
HB1219, the employment discrimination bill, passed the House 89-68 and cleared the senate 23-8.
SB572, the worker’s compensation bill, passed the Senate 26-8 and passed the House 87-68