A key line in SB592: “Currently, under the Missouri Human Rights Act (MHRA), a practice is unlawful when the protected trait is a contributing factor in the decision to discriminate. This act changes that standard to a motivating factor standard.”

This seems that it would require workers to prove that discrimination was a “motivating factor” in wrongful termination cases, instead of the current lesser standard of a contributing factor. The measure also would limit the court damages that could be recovered and would give courts a new framework for deciding cases without a jury trial.

Fines for Schools: Is that all the Senate can do to fund education for our children? True, a penny saved… but, really?

Missouri NEA Legislative Update – Week 2, No. 3, January 11, 2012
By Otto Fajen, MNEA Legislative Director

TABOR

The House Budget Committee heard HJR 43 (Eric Burlison) on January 11, and then approved a House Committee Substitute (HCS) version of the bill immediately following the hearing by a mostly party-line vote of 21-9.  HJR 43 is a constitutional spending limit similar to the Colorado provision known as “TABOR”, or the so-called “Taxpayer Bill of Rights.”  Missouri NEA strongly opposes this unneeded restriction.  The HJR would impose a permanent, constitutional spending limit on state government and would limit annual growth in state appropriations to a cost of living adjustment factor plus a population growth factor.  The HCS version would postpone appropriation limits until net general revenue reached the Fiscal Year 2008 level of roughly $8.0 billion.

WORKPLACE DISCRIMINATION AND WHISTLE-BLOWER LAW

The Senate Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment Committee will meet in executive session on January 12 to consider approving a Senate Committee Substitute (SCS) version of SB 592 (Brad Lager). The Association opposes SB 592. The bill makes several harmful changes to the state’s anti-discrimination law in employment, disability and housing and significantly limits and weakens the “whistle-blower” protections that ensure front line employees with the best information and knowledge are able to hold public institutions and public officials accountable for faithfully fulfilling their public duties.

PUBLIC SCHOOL TRANSPARENCY

The House Downsizing State Government Committee met on January 11 and approved an HCS version of HB 1140 (Jason Smith).  This bill requires the Office of Administration to maintain public school and county and municipal government accountability information on the Missouri Accountability Portal. School districts and public charter schools must annually provide detailed employee compensation data, the district budget and the amount of the district’s bonded indebtedness to the department in a commonly used electronic format as specified by the department.

The Association supports HB 1140.  Missouri NEA supports accountability and transparency that fosters confidence and investment in public education and promotes economic prosperity for all Missourians.

FINES FOR SCHOOLS

The Senate Governmental Affairs and Fiscal Oversight (GAFO) Committee heard SB 589 (Will Kraus) on January 11.  The bill requires local governments using automated traffic enforcement systems to distribute fines to local school districts.  The Association went on record in support of the bill.