NEWS

"Right-to-work" legislation, supported by Greitens, filed by lawmakers in Jefferson City

Will Schmitt
WSCHMITT@NEWS-LEADER.COM
The Missouri State Capitol overlooking the Missouri River in Jefferson City.

Bills that Gov.-elect Eric Greitens could sign to make Missouri a "right-to-work" state and to ban gifts from lobbyists were proposed Thursday in Jefferson City.

Republican Reps. Bill White of Joplin and Holly Rehder of Sikeston each pre-filed legislation to prevent labor unions from requiring members to pay dues in order to join.

"Right-to-work" has been proposed in recent years but has been blocked by the veto pen of Gov. Jay Nixon. Passage seems likely with Greitens in the Governor's Mansion and dominant Republican majorities in the state House and Senate.

Supporters and opponents of "right-to-work" disagree on whether the union-weakening legislation would benefit the economy and Missouri workers. It may be difficult to determine the effect of a single "right-to-work" bill on the economy.

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Passing "right-to-work" was a campaign priority for Greitens and was one of the starker differences between the Republican and Democratic Attorney General Chris Koster.

Another pledge Greitens made on the stump was reducing corruption in Missouri's capital, and a few bills along those lines have already been filed.

Rep. Justin Alferman, a Hermann Republican, filed a bill banning gifts from lobbyists to lawmakers.

In a House news release, Alferman said the gubernatorial transition has made him more optimistic about the passage of the bill, which did not make its way before Gov. Jay Nixon last session. "Governor-Elect Greitens has already called me and I’ve already been in talks with his staff in order to craft a better bill.”

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Another bill, filed by Independence Democrat Rep. Rory Rowland, would permit the Missouri Ethics Commission to digitally publish financial interest statements.

Thursday was the first day lawmakers could pre-file bills ahead of the next legislative session, which starts Jan. 4.