School Construction Act (HB 34)
Last week we passed legislation that would give many schools a chance to complete renovation and upgrade projects that they currently cannot afford. Right now, our public schools have to pay the prevailing wage for the construction projects they undertake. In some areas, the prevailing wage is so high that schools simply cannot afford to make much-needed repairs and improvements. In fact, we know of some schools that have been forced to turn to volunteer labor in order to do roof repairs. It’s a position we don’t want to put our schools in, especially during a time when their budgets are already stretched thin.
By exempting our schools from the prevailing wage requirement, we can give them the opportunity to hire contractors at an affordable rate. We also can keep jobs in our area by giving our local contractors the opportunity to do the work. I believe this is a great option to give our schools the flexibility they need to complete the repairs and improvements necessary to maintain a safe learning environment for our young people.
By exempting our schools from the prevailing wage requirement, we can give them the opportunity to hire contractors at an affordable rate. We also can keep jobs in our area by giving our local contractors the opportunity to do the work. I believe this is a great option to give our schools the flexibility they need to complete the repairs and improvements necessary to maintain a safe learning environment for our young people.
Employment Law Reform (HB 320)
Also a bill approved in the Missouri House is meant to improve our business climate so that we can retain existing employers and attract new businesses. The legislation changes the Missouri Human Rights Act to bring it in line with federal discrimination standards. In effect, it would require a worker to prove that discrimination was a motivating factor in a wrongful termination case. The current standard requires only that workers prove discrimination is a contributing factor.
Business leaders from around the state have come together to support the change because the current standard allows for too many frivolous lawsuits. The goal with the bill is to strike the right balance so that employees are protected against discrimination based on race, religion or sex, while also making certain that businesses aren’t overrun by an endless stream of frivolous lawsuits. By making our state law mirror the federal law, we believe we can create the kind of environment that will be fair to both employers and employees.
As always, please do not hesitate to call or write me anytime with your questions or thoughts on these or any other issue. My Capitol office phone number is 573-751-3971 and my email is wanda.brown@house.mo.gov.
Business leaders from around the state have come together to support the change because the current standard allows for too many frivolous lawsuits. The goal with the bill is to strike the right balance so that employees are protected against discrimination based on race, religion or sex, while also making certain that businesses aren’t overrun by an endless stream of frivolous lawsuits. By making our state law mirror the federal law, we believe we can create the kind of environment that will be fair to both employers and employees.
As always, please do not hesitate to call or write me anytime with your questions or thoughts on these or any other issue. My Capitol office phone number is 573-751-3971 and my email is wanda.brown@house.mo.gov.
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