By Samantha Walker
KOAM TV, Joplin, MO, May 5, 2025
Just days after Missouri's voter-approved paid sick leave mandate went into effect, state lawmakers are advancing legislation that would substantially change the law that voters passed in November. ...
Supporters of Proposition A express frustration with these legislative efforts to modify what voters approved.
"I would like to see it just go into place and be a sign of progress. That at least something in the Missouri democratic system still works," said Mike Draper, a member of Missouri Business for a Fair Minimum Wage.
Draper criticized lawmakers' attempts to override voter decisions: "This is a group of people who already have a belief structure. And even when that belief structure is challenged by the will of the people, they will use their levers of power to overturn the will of the people."
The legal path to implementing Proposition A has not been smooth. Opponents brought a challenge to the Missouri Supreme Court, arguing the text of the proposition didn't follow proper election rules. However, the court upheld the measure, stating "there was no election irregularity and the election results are valid." ...
"You just wish that some of these folks in power would say, 'Yep, you won this one,' and then move on," Draper said. ...