right-to-work Archives

From Bellefontaine Habilitation Center to labor, Missouri’s Walsh known for protecting her district (AUDIO)

December 28, 2020 By Brian Hauswirth

A veteran Missouri lawmaker who’s finishing her 16th and final year in Jefferson City is most proud of her successful team effort to prevent the Bellefontaine Habilitation Center in her district from closing.

State Sen. Gina Walsh, D-Bellefontaine Neighbors, presides over the Missouri Senate in Jefferson City on May 13, 2020 (file photo courtesy of Harrison Sweazea at Senate Communications)

The facility is operated by the Missouri Division of Developmental Disabilities, which is part of the state Department of Mental Health (DMH). State Sen. Gina Walsh, D-Bellefontaine Neighbors, notes former Governor Matt Blunt (R) and some others proposed closing the facility in 2005.

“It’s a home for folks with developmental disabilities, and people would often call them children but they’re grown adults who have been there since childhood. Many people have lived their whole lives there,” Walsh says.

The center serves residents with developmental disabilities like cerebral palsy and epilepsy. Former Governor Blunt cited allegations of abuse, for his 2005 proposal to close the facility.

Then-State Rep. Walsh and then-State Sen. Tim Green, D-Spanish Lake, helped to secure $20 million in improvements at Bellefontaine, which built four new buildings and renovated others. Walsh says while the old facility looked like a prison, it’s beautiful campus now.

The facility opened in 1924.

Senator Walsh credits former State Reps. Jim Mulvaney, D-Florissant, and Walter Meyer, D-north St. Louis County, for fighting to protect the facility as well, when they were in office.

“Mulvaney came to me when I was first elected and he said I don’t care what you do. He says but don’t get too big of a head and make sure you take care of the folks on Bellefontaine Road,” says Walsh.

Former Representative Mulvaney, who served in the House from 1967-1975, was referring to Bellefontaine Habilitation Center.

Gina Walsh was elected to the Missouri House in 2002 and served four terms from 2003-2010. She was elected to the Senate in 2012 and re-elected in 2016.

During an interview with Missourinet last week reflecting on her 16 years of legislative service, Senator Walsh was candid about her priorities and the importance of keeping your word.

She admits she was “noisy and loud” on the Bellefontaine issue. She says it was and is important to keep those services in her district and across the state. She says if lawmakers wanted help from her in Jefferson City on the budget, they had to guarantee her funding for the Bellefontaine Habilitation Center.

Walsh is also known at the Capitol for being pragmatic. She says she compromised with Republicans many times over the past 16 years, to protect labor unions.

Senator Walsh notes there are currently only eight Democrats in the 34-member Missouri Senate, and 47 House Democrats in the 163-member chamber across the Capitol Rotunda. When Walsh entered the House in 2003, there were 73 House Democrats.

“I took a lot of heat from my labor community through the years. Some of them thinking I was giving away everything but the kitchen sink,” Walsh says. “But you have to compromise to accomplish, to save things a lot of times.”

Walsh praises Missourians for overwhelmingly rejecting a right-to-work referendum in 2018. She campaigned against it, across the state. More than 67 percent of Missourians voted against Proposition A. The vote was about 937,000 to 452,000. Walsh notes it was defeated in almost every county.

Right-to-work says a person cannot be required to join or refrain from joining a labor organization, as a condition of employment.

Walsh also says it’s important for labor leaders to remember that GOP right-to-work bill sponsors were also all re-elected in 2018. She’s referring to State Reps. Holly Rehder, R-Scott City, and Don Rone, R-Portageville. She says there are Republicans and independents who also belong to organized labor.

Walsh says her sprawling 13th senatorial district has the largest number of labor union households in Missouri. She says it used to be all building trades like pipefitters, carpenters and bricklayers. While there are still building trades members, there are also teachers and members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) in the district.

She says unions provide a way of life, and helped build the middle class.

Walsh says the best part of her job as a legislator was answering the phone and helping people, emphasizing the importance of constituent service.

She says while she’ll miss serving in the Capitol, she looks forward to her new full-time job with a labor union.

Click here to listen to Brian Hauswirth’s interview with State Sen. Gina Walsh, D-Bellefontaine Neighbors, which was recorded on December 21, 2020:

Parson and Galloway focusing on rural Missouri in final days of campaign; both appealing to blue-collar voters (AUDIO)

October 30, 2020 By Brian Hauswirth

The two main gubernatorial candidates are focusing on rural Missouri again Friday, and during the final days of the campaign.

Governor Mike Parson (R) brings his “Mike works bus tour” to four rural western Missouri towns: his hometown of Bolivar, as well as Clinton, Belton and El Dorado Springs. He’ll finish Friday evening in Springfield.

The governor tells Missourinet he feels confident about where the race is and that he’s on message. Parson also says that if he wins Tuesday, he’ll continue to focus on putting people first.

“I think what we seen what we did by taking the largest income tax cut in our state’s history, by creating 40,000 new jobs by focusing on workforce development and infrastructure,” Parson says, highlighting achievements of his term.

Parson will speak at Friday evening’s “Keep Missouri Red Rally” in Springfield, with former White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders. Sanders will also join the governor Saturday for a rally in eastern Missouri’s St. Peters.

Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway, the Democratic gubernatorial nominee, will meet Friday morning with Teamsters Union members in Springfield and with UAW members in Pleasant Valley.

She campaigned Thursday in Columbia, before heading to southwest Missouri’s Marshfield and Springfield. During an interview with Missourinet outside her bus in Columbia, Galloway says rural voters tell her that Jefferson City is disconnected from what matters to them, in their communities.

“Rural hospitals are closing. Jobs are leaving the area,” Galloway says. “They’re concerned about funding for their schools, which are the center of those rural communities.”

The Missouri Hospital Association (MHA) says ten rural hospitals have closed in Missouri, since 2014. Click here to see the full map and years. To be clear, several of those closings happened when Governor Jay Nixon (D) was in office.

But several have also happened during the tenure of Governors Eric Greitens (R) and Parson.

While Parson and Galloway disagree on numerous policy issues, one thing they both have been doing during the campaign’s final stretch is campaign heavily in rural towns across the state.

Galloway says her top priority, if elected governor, will be implementation of Medicaid expansion.

“Making sure that not only folks have access to affordable health insurance, but also have access to health care, meaning we can keep our rural hospitals open and open clinics in parts of our state that desperately need it,” says Galloway.

In August, Missouri voters approved Medicaid expansion for residents between the ages of 19 and 64 with an income level at or below 133 percent of the federal poverty level. While the issue was defeated in 105 of Missouri’s 114 counties, Galloway notes it passed by six points statewide, and that hundreds of thousands of votes from rural residents were key to its passage.

Galloway also says Missouri needs a reset on COVID strategy, so people can get back to work.

During a campaign stop Tuesday at Emery Sapp and Sons in Columbia, Governor Parson emphasized his rural roots, and talked about growing up in southwest Missouri’s Wheatland. He also discussed saying the Pledge of Allegiance in school.

He’s also emphasizing his experience.

“I think what people are seeing right now with everything we’ve been through is experience does matter at a time like this, and I think that’s one of the things I have,” says Parson. “All the way from serving my country in the military, law enforcement, being a business owner.”

Parson says it’s important to take a balanced approach to combating COVID, and that it’s crucial to look at the state as a whole. He says businesses are opening back up, and children are back in school.

Both candidates are appealing to blue-collar voters.

Parson praised their work ethic during his speech at Emery Sapp and Sons, talking about the workers wearing coveralls in the back of the room. He noted he had done work like that. It drew applause from the audience.

As for Galloway, she told her audience on Thursday that Governor Parson’s supporters want to make Missouri a right-to-work state. She’s pledging to veto a right-to-work bill, if she’s elected. That also drew applause from her audience.

Election day is Tuesday across Missouri.

Click here to listen to Governor Mike Parson speak to Missourinet’s Brian Hauswirth and other reporters at Columbia’s Emery Sapp and Sons on October 27, 2020:

Click here to listen to Brian Hauswirth’s interview with Missouri Auditor Nicole Galloway, on October 29, 2020 in Columbia:

Galloway bashes Parson on Right-to-work stance

October 20, 2020 By Alisa Nelson

State Auditor Nicole Galloway made a stop in southwest Missouri’s Joplin Monday afternoon. Galloway, a Democrat who is running for governor, criticized her opponent, Republican Governor Mike Parson, about his stance on making Missouri a Right-to-work state.

Gov. Mike Parson and State Auditor Nicole Galloway

In 2018, voters overwhelmingly opposed passing such a law that would ban mandatory union fees in the workplace.

“You know what those powerful special interests want – they want Missouri to be a Right-to-work state. We voted no on Prop A. Why aren’t they listening,” asks Galloway. “As Right to Work was going down in flames, Governor Parson’s administration was trying to figure out how to implement Right-to-work county by county.”

In 2018, KSDK-TV in St. Louis reported that Parson’s office began looking at options for Right-to-work to happen at the county level – before voters rejected the ballot measure.

Missourinet reached out to Parson’s campaign and is awaiting a response.

Right-to-work supporters contend that such laws improve the economy and create jobs. Opponents of Right-to-work say banning mandatory union fees would lead to a decline in wages and safety measures.

Ty Albright of Missourinet affiliate KZRG in Joplin contributed to this story.

‘Right to work’ sponsor thinks he can find 4 votes

April 10, 2014 By Mike Lear

The sponsor of the so-called “right to work” bill in the House says he is optimistic after it received initial approval Wednesday, despite its opponents declaring victory.

The policy would prevent the paying of union dues from being a requisite for employment in private businesses in Missouri. Unions and Democrats say it’s an attack on workers and have declared the measure defeated, because it only got 78 “yes” votes. That’s enough for initial passage, or “perfection,” but more would be needed on a vote to send it to the Senate.

Representative Eric Burlison (R-Springfield) says they’re being premature.

“I think this is a historic victory,” says Burlison.

Four more votes are what supporters would need to reach the constitutional majority necessary for the bill to clear the House and go to the Senate. Burlison thinks they can be found.

“To get to 82 is a small step from the 78. There’s a lot of room there,” says Burlison. “What’s clear is we’ve set the low water mark at 78, which is very good. I don’t know where the high water mark is going to be on the vote.”

19 Republicans voted with Democrats against the legislation, while 11 were absent and two entered neutral “present” votes.

The legislation faces a likely filibuster if it reaches the Senate but could result in a move of the “previous question,” a motion to shut down debate and force a vote … a rare move in the Senate.

Burlison says that potential means he has time to find four more votes.

“The Senate will likely not take this bill up until the last possible day,” says Burlison. “The PQ is something that you don’t want to have to do until the very end … there’s time.”

Even if “right to work” doesn’t make it out of the House, Burlison says its initial passage is a win.

“This is an absolute victory. It’s never happened in the history of the State of Missouri.”

See how state House members voted on “right to work”

House Floor Leader: expect ‘Right to Work’ on Wednesday

April 4, 2014 By Mike Lear

National organizations are raising the stakes and the pressure on GOP lawmakers in Missouri to vote on a so-called “right to work” law, which would bar making union membership a requisite of a job.

Majority Floor Leader John Diehl (photo courtesy; Tim Bommel, Missouri House Communications)

Unions and Democrats say “right to work” allows non-union employees to share the benefits of union membership without having to pay dues. Backers say “right to work” favors businesses and keeps workers from being forced to join a union.

House Majority Floor Leader John Diehl (R-Town and Country) says the bill was going to be brought up Wednesday but he was asked to hold off by Speaker Tim Jones (R-Eureka) and others.

“The Speaker and the bill sponsor believed that there are some improvements that can be made in the ballot language, so they asked me to hold off on it,” says Diehl. “Assuming that the ballot language issue gets corrected, my plan would be to go to it on Wednesday of next week.”

Jones says he is confident that there is support for “right to work” in his caucus.

“If you look at our caucus of currently 108 people, I can definitely say there is a strong majority of that 108 that wants us to have a vote on that issue this year and move that bill forward.”

Diehl thinks the vote will be close, and Thursday’s House vote to pass what supporters call “paycheck protection” legislation could be seen as supporting that prediction. The bill passed 83-69 but 17 Republicans voted against it.

Called “paycheck deception” by Democrats and unions, the bill would require that workers annually sign off on whether unions can take dues out of employee’s checks. Opponents argue such deductions are already voluntary.

Jones has called “paycheck protection” a way to get to the goal or right-to-work.

Hanaway talks support for changing Missouri labor policy

February 19, 2014 By Mike Lear

The first GOP candidate in the 2016 race for Governor says she wants Missouri to become a right-to-work state.

“Right to Work” is what supporters call the policy that would bar the practice of making the payment of union dues a requisite of employment.

Catherine Hanaway says enacting such a policy would make Missouri more competitive.

“I absolutely want Missouri to be on a level playing field with all the states that are attracting major auto plants, major manufacturing plants and they’re just flying over Missouri,” claims Hanaway.

She says she would also back what supporters call “paycheck protection.”

“I think protecting the paychecks of people who do work in union environments so that their dues aren’t spent on political campaigns that they don’t support … it would be a step forward.”

Hanaway also says she would support a tax cut proposal such as what Republican lawmakers are trying to send to Governor Nixon this year, but doesn’t say she would have signed the bill that Nixon vetoed last year.

“I think there were improvements that needed to be made to that bill,” says Hanaway, “but that’s where you need leadership from the Governor. The legislative session’s five months long. The legislature didn’t keep it a secret that they were gonna pass a tax cut. If there were improvements to be made the Governor should have been walking the halls … and have discussion with the legislative leaders and try and shape the bill into something that he can sign.”

Hanaway says she will spend this year traveling to Republican events throughout the state trying to raise money and support to take on Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris Koster.

Some Republicans have expressed disapproval of Hanaway announcing as a candidate so early, and say it is disrespectful to others who might choose to run.

Legislative hearing underway on ‘right to work’ bill (STREAMING VIDEO)

January 13, 2014 By Mike Lear

The House Committee on Workforce Development and Public Safety is holding a hearing at this hour on proposed “Right to Work” legislation (HB 1099) sponsored by Representative Eric Burlison (R-Springfield). House Republican Leadership has said “Right to Work” will be a priority again this year, as evidenced by holding a hearing on the first Monday of the legislative session.

Supporters say “Right to Work” would bar the payment of union dues from being a requisite of employment, and argue that businesses have taken jobs out of Missouri or chose not to bring them here because Missouri is not a “Right to Work” state. Opponents say it would allow some workers to become “freeloaders” who benefit from union representation without paying for it.

Chairman Bill Lant (R-Pineville) says the committee will not put time limits on testimony but will cut people off if their testimony becomes “redundant.” The Committee will take a break at 2:00 if necessary.

Watch a live stream of the hearing here.

House includes ‘right-to-work for cops’ in public safety bill

April 27, 2013 By Mike Lear

A House bill including more than 20 provisions related to public safety includes a proposal to make it illegal for union dues payment to be a condition of employment for law enforcement in the state.

Representative Rick Brattin (photo courtesy; Tim Bommel, Missouri House Communications)

Called “right to work for cops” on the floor by an opponent, the language was offered in an amendment by Representative Rick Brattin (R-Harrisonville), who says it will protect officers.

“This just gives them the protection that our firefighters, our ambulance [drivers] and every other state employee has the right to choose to belong to any organization they want and pay into any organization that they so choose or opt out of choosing.”

Representative Jeff Roorda (D-Barnhart), a former police officer, says because police unions negotiate for issues including workplace safety, this could result in unsafe conditions for some of the state’s law enforcement officers.

“This amendment places your cops in harm’s way, it pulls away their ability to have any impact over their workplace safety, over their benefits, their horrible benefits … we’re one of the lowest paid states in the nation when it comes to how we compensate our law enforcement officers, and one of the most deadly states in the nation.”

House Speaker Tim Jones (R-Eureka) says the idea was brought to his caucus by police officers from Kansas City.

“I met with them, men and women on that police force of all different, diverse backgrounds, and they asked us to move that piece of legislation forward … They said they were being disenfranchised, their voices were not being heard, they had no choice in the matter and so these are folks who are rank-and-file union members who have asked us to promote worker freedom.”

That omnibus package, HB 335, has been sent to the Senate.

House Speaker says right-to-work passage unlikely, will push paycheck protection

December 13, 2012 By Mike Lear

Missouri’s Republican House Speaker says in spite of the passage of right-to-work in Michigan, he doesn’t expect to make it a priority in Missouri but will pursue paycheck protection.

House Speaker Tim Jones (R-Eureka)

Speaker Tim Jones (R-Eureka) says he supports right-to-work, which keeps union membership or dues payments from being a condition of employment, but he doesn’t think it would pass in Missouri without the backing of Governor Jay Nixon even with veto-proof Republican majorities in both chambers.

“We have 110 members in the House. That’s more of a number than a reality on every single issue. I understand that I have a lot of members who are very conflicted on a variety of issues. Every district is not the same.”

Jones instead will add to his agenda paycheck protection, which requires unions to get permission annually from its members to use fees or dues for political contributions. Jones thinks that would achieve the same goal as right-to-work, and he believes it can pass.

“Money is extremely important to the labor unions. They are the biggest opponents to us on that level and I look at what happened in this last campaign cycle and most of the Democrats in this state rely on that money which is forced from hard-working workers into those coffers.”

The legislative session begins January 9.