FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, June 2, 2025
Contact: Hannah Edwards
[email protected]
Jefferson City – Today, Missouri Jobs with Justice and Missouri Workers Center sent a letter to Governor Kehoe urging him to veto House Bill 567 to protect Missouri’s new paid sick leave law which voters passed with Proposition A in November. Well-deserved relief for workers and economic gain are outlined in the letter as incentives for the Governor to veto the legislation.
“Missouri workers and their families do not deserve to see their newly earned paid sick leave stripped away,” the letter states.
Amid debate in the Missouri Legislature about whether to spend taxpayer dollars to fund billionaire-owned stadiums in Jackson County, Missouri Jobs with Justice and Missouri Workers Center invite Governor Kehoe to similarly consider economic activity as reason for protecting the new paid sick leave law for workers: “You previously cautioned a loss in economic activity associated with the Chiefs and Royals stadiums if either team were to relocate. The wage increase secured with Proposition A injected over $365 million into Missouri’s economy, and over $600 million can be saved with paid sick leave law.”
The letter can be viewed HERE and below.
June 2, 2025
The Honorable Michael Kehoe
Governor
State of Missouri
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Dear Governor Kehoe:
On May 14, 2025, the Missouri Legislature passed House Bill 567 to undo provisions of Proposition A, amending Missouri’s minimum wage statute and repealing RSMo §§ 290.600–290.642 which requires the accrual of earned paid sick time for employees in Missouri. Proposition A to raise the minimum wage and guarantee paid sick leave for all workers passed in November with over 57% of the vote, winning in rural, suburban and urban counties. Missouri workers and their families do not deserve to see their newly earned paid sick leave stripped away. Missouri Jobs with Justice and Missouri Workers Center strongly urge you to veto House Bill 567 to prioritize the livelihoods of hardworking Missourians over corporate lobbyists and uphold the will of the people.
On April 29, 2025, the Missouri Supreme Court unanimously voted to uphold Proposition A and the will of the people.[1] Following this ruling, certain members of the Missouri Legislature continued with egregious attacks on the Proposition while hundreds of thousands of Missourians had begun to see its benefits. Thanks to this citizen-led initiative, over 400,000 Missourians saw a raise in their paychecks in January,[2] and an estimated 700,000 private-sector workers became eligible to start accruing paid sick leave on May 1st.[3]
In addition to the significant relief working families experience as a result of earning paid sick leave, this much needed benefit can generate over $600 million in “societal savings” each year.[4] We understand that you called for a special legislative session that began today Monday, June 2nd to discuss advancing over $1.5 billion in state funding to subsidize the cost of billionaire-owned stadiums in Jackson County. You previously cautioned a loss in economic activity associated with the Chiefs and Royals stadiums if either team were to relocate.[5] The wage increase secured with Proposition A injected over $365 million into Missouri’s economy,[6] and over $600 million can be saved with paid sick leave law, “generated primarily through reduced spread of contagious disease, as well as a more stable and productive workforce, reduced turnover and workers compensation claims.”[7]
We hope that you will veto House Bill 567 and allow Proposition A to remain in effect as the voters intended. So many workers are for the first time experiencing the relief of paid sick leave. If Proposition A is repealed, workers will again face increased economic insecurity when balancing being sick with maintaining their job. Workers are not asking for a handout; allowing workers to earn one hour of paid sick leave for every thirty hours worked is a small ask of businesses desiring committed workers. Many businesses across the state willingly instituted this fair policy prior to the passing of Proposition A. We urge you to take this opportunity to veto this legislation and remind Missourians that our state is dedicated to fairness, that their vote matters, and that we will continue to improve conditions for future generations. We appreciate your prompt acknowledgement of this letter and attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Missouri Jobs with Justice
Missouri Workers Center
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More About Missouri Jobs with Justice:
Missouri Jobs with Justice is a coalition of community, labor, faith-based, and student groups and individuals working to build power through direct action and strong relationships rooted in justice, equity, and solidarity. An organization of, by and for working people, we hope to build a Missouri where all people can lead safe and healthy lives. In addition to our local and state partners, we are proud to be affiliated with national Jobs with Justice as well as People’s Action. Companion 501(c)(4) organization Missouri Jobs with Justice Voter Action builds Missouri’s worker justice movement through workplace campaigns, ballot initiatives, and other community fights.