Senators squabble over breakdown in Prop A talks

By Natanya Friedheim, Missouri News Network

JEFFERSON CITY — Democrats and Republicans each blamed the other side Thursday for wrecking a potential compromise over minimum wage and paid sick leave changes.
In November, Missouri voters approved Proposition A, which increased the minimum wage and required qualifying businesses to offer employees paid sick leave. House Bill 567, brought to the Senate floor Wednesday, would repeal paid sick leave and eliminate minimum wage increases after next year.
Prop A is set to take effect May 1. If the bill passes the Senate, it will take effect immediately after Gov. Mike Kehoe signs it and deny the paid sick leave benefit.
During a nine-hour filibuster against the bill Wednesday, Senate Democrats felt they were close to a compromise with the Republicans, Senate Democratic Leader Doug Beck, D-Affton, said at a news conference Thursday.
Beck said a Facebook post by Senate President Pro Tem Cindy O’Laughlin thwarted the effort.
“We did our best to negotiate in good faith, but people on both sides of the negotiations were blindsided by the pro tem,” Beck said. He said negotiations dealt with implementation and enforcement of the new law but offered scant details.
Beck referenced a Facebook post published on O’Laughlin’s page at 7:23 a.m. Wednesday that read “Heading to the Mother Ship. Prop A on the agenda. #NoToThisBusinessKiller. We are prepared to stay as long as it takes” with a picture of the state Capitol.
O’Laughlin was not available for comment Thursday but continued posting about the bill after it was set aside around 1 a.m.
Republicans opposed to Prop A argue the new laws will hurt businesses. Because the proposition voters approved merely changed state law, the legislature can pass new laws on the topic without needing voter approval.
In a later post, O’Laughlin accused Democrats of constantly being on the phone during negotiations.
“It’s quite difficult to get to agreement when you aren’t dealing with your colleagues but a nameless, faceless person on the phone,” her post reads.
Beck said he was on the phone with someone who represents workers but did not say who.
As president pro tem, O’Laughlin wields great authority over what legislation is considered on the Senate floor. She promised the matter isn’t over.
“We will set this aside for the moment but we are committed to getting it done before session ends,” she said in her final Facebook post on the topic. “This is a basic economic issue that we cannot let become permanently ensconced in our state.”