Right to work in Missouri? Legislative leaders say the topic could come up during the 2013 legislative session — even if the chances of passing it are slim.
“We’re going to have the discussion on 'right to work' this year,” House Speaker Tim Jones, R-Eureka, said in an interview today on the Dana Show on 97.1FM.
Michigan this week approved a fast-tracked right-to-work plan that bars contracts that make union dues a condition of employment. Twenty-three other states have similar laws.
Right to work wasn't expected to be among the key topics for Missouri's upcoming session, but Michigan's surprise move appears to have sparked interest here.
"Being truthful, what's happened in Michigan has opened up a whole new dynamic, and we're going to be mindful of that," Sen. Ron Richard, a Republican from Joplin and the new Senate majority leader, told the Post-Dispatch today. "Michigan has brought a lot of conversation from members talking to me the last week."
Asked if he favored such legislation, Richard left his options open. "I'm for getting economic development done, whatever that is."
During his radio interview, Jones said he thinks right to work legislation could lead to more jobs in Missouri.
“The growth in our country has been in the south and the west, largely because they are low-tax, right-to-work states,” he said.
Jones, who has been on a tour across the state this week to meet with constituents, said he doesn’t think that the Missouri Legislature's GOP majority has enough votes to get the legislation past a probable veto by Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon.
Still, Jones said legislators have told him they want to file right-to-work bills this session to get the debate started.
“If Michigan, then why not here?” Jones said. “I hope we start following suit.”
Republicans have veto-proof majorities in the House and Senate, but Jones said lawmakers in areas like St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County, Jefferson County, Jackson County and Kansas City would be more likely to side with labor groups who oppose right-to-work laws.
