‘Nixon suggests veto on bill to change Missouri Human Rights Act

By Jo Mannies of The Beacon

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon indicated strongly Monday that he’ll be vetoing Senate Bill 188, a measure that alters the Missouri Human Rights Act and state laws governing employment discrimination by making it tougher to sue.

Nixon issued a statement on Monday blasting the bill and adding that he will “take formal action” on Friday “in a public setting.” In political code, that all but guarantees the goverSave and closenor is planning a very public veto.

“Making it easier for Missouri companies to discriminate against people with disabilities or cancer, and against women, older workers and minorities will not help us create jobs or be more competitive,” Nixon said.

“To thrive in a global economy and uphold the values we share, we must be a state that continues to move forward – not backward – when it comes to civil rights and equal opportunity.”

The bill has been approved by the Missouri House and Senate. Its backers include the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which contended the bill was needed to bring the state’s anti-discrimination laws in line with federal laws.

The bill eliminates the state’s current standard that says the law is broken if it’s determined that discrimination was “a contributing factor.” SB 188 stipulates that the standard would be changed so that discrimination would have to be a “motivating factor.”

Under SB 188, it would be up to the plaintiffs in a lawsuit to prove the standard. If victorious, plaintiffs also would no longer be entitled to have their attorney’s fees paid by the defendants.

The opponents include trial-lawyers’ groups and many St. Louis-area Democrats in the General Assembly, who have called for Nixon's veto.

“Missouri is a state that welcomes all people and believes that everyone should be treated with respect and dignity,” Nixon said in his statement.

“That means eliminating discrimination and removing the barriers of prejudice wherever they exist. Whether it be in the workplace, in housing or in public accommodations, discrimination is wrong.”

Nixon went on to say that SB 188 “would undermine key provisions of the Missouri Human Rights Act, rolling back decades of progress in protecting civil rights, encouraging fair treatment and fostering mutual understanding and respect among all citizens. This bill would make it harder to prove discrimination in the workplace and would throw new hurdles in the path of those whose rights have been violated. That is unacceptable.”

His office noted that “the bill is opposed by a broad coalition of advocacy groups representing women, individuals with disabilities and serious illnesses, senior citizens and minorities,” including the NAACP, American Cancer Society, AARP, Paraquad, Missouri Association for the Deaf, Missouri Association for Social Welfare, National Education Association and Metropolitan St. Louis Equal Housing Opportunity Council.

The Missouri Chamber issued a statement lamenting Nixon's expected action.

“Discrimination should be rooted out and stopped,” the Chamber said in its statement. “However, Missouri laws are so unfairly skewed that employers are unable to adequately defend themselves against even the most frivolous claims.”


(2011-4-28/stlamerican.com)