In our blogs of 3/12 and 3/18 we talked about how the Missouri legislature passed, and the Governor  vetoed, a bill that would have weakened the rights of workers who allege employment discrimination. The bill would have required plaintiffs to allege that discrimination is not simply one contributing factor to any adverse employment action, but a “motivating factor.” 

The Missouri legislature is dogged about pushing this legislation, however, and is debating ways around the Governor’s veto, such as passing a new bill, sponsored by Republican Sen. Brad Lager, which is similar to the vetoed bill in that it changes the standard for employment discrimination cases to a "motivating-factor" standard.

Sen. Lager stated that through his veto “the governor continues to protect the status quo, a broken and unfriendly business climate, thereby limiting the economic opportunities for Missouri’s citizens.”