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Missouri Digital News
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Missouri Digital News
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Mo. Digital News
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Missouri Digital News
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Missouri Digital News
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Mo. Digital News
Missouri Digital News
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Missouri Digital News
In all likelyhood the Senate will endure yet another filibuster; and this one is about Missouri jobs.
Dan Frumson has more from the state Capitol.
"Senator from the 13th, for what purpose do you seek recognition?"
"I notice the absence of a quorum. I think with the Senator's speech, all the members should be present to hear it."
Senate procedure: As has happened so many times before in the Missouri Senate, one Republican senator, in this case John Loudon of St. Louis County, offers a bill that the Democrats, namely Victor Callahan of Independence, dislike: and so they offer amendments designed to damage the legislation, and then they filibuster.
Callahan's amendments stipulates that in order for businesses to qualify for government jobs, they must provide their workers with benefits similar to unions benefits, as well as job training programs approved by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Loudon said the Republican Caucus saw this one coming, and will not back down.
From the state Capitol, I'm Dan Frumson.
Loudon says his bill, which some legislators call the "Open Contracting Act", eliminates discrimination against nonunion businesses who provide adequate health care.
Callahan's amendments stipulates that in order for businesses to qualify for government jobs, they must provide their workers with benefits similar to unions benefits, as well as job training programs approved by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Loudon said the Republican Caucus saw this one coming, and will not back down.
From the state Capitol, I'm Dan Frumson.
***
Debate continues on over jobs at the Capitol. Dan Frumson has more.
Republican Senator John Loudon of St. Louis County says he wants to prevent businesses from being subject to any regulation by government office concerning labor benefits or requirements.
"It's an national issue for organized labor. And what they do is elect school boards, city councels that will make sure that all the construction done is union only. And so they discriminate against my workers who are tax payers; patrons of the district, but don't happen to be members of a union, those people are not allowed to work."
The bill's primary opponent Victor Callahan, a Democrat from Independence, says by not maintaining a prevailing wage or competative benefits, work quality will fall, as well as wages and available health care.
From the state Capitol, I'm Dan Frumson.
***
The fight over benefit requirements continues at the state Capitol. Dan Frumson has more.
Senate Democrat Victor Callahan strongly opposes Republican John Loudon's bill that would end any ability government bodies like school boards have in setting standards on job training and work benefits.
"He's playing to the lowest possible common denominator. This bill attempts to assist those who don't provide those things."
Things like ERISA certified health care and retirements plans, as well as quality job training are what his filibuster are all about.
"This bill will not pass. I will be there until I drop."
Loudon says he's aware of Callahan's resolve.
"I think he'll continure fighting. And ya know, that's all part of the process, but we may add some more goodies."
But Senate Minority Leader Maida Coleman says she believes that a true compromise could be in the works for the first time.
"The difference this time is that we are sitting down and talking about it, and trying to come to a resolution. And that's different than in the past.
And if not??
"It is my play to never allow this to come to a vote. Cause it's a bad piece of legislation."
From the state Capitol, I'm Dan Frumson.