SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- The City Council narrowly voted Tuesday to certify results of the election on Feb. 7. That's when voters passed a measure requiring businesses to use the federal E-Verify method of verifying a potential employee's eligibility to work in the United States.
Many city leaders are opposed to forcing businesses to use E-Verify. The vote to certify the election, making the law effective, was five for and three against; five yes votes were needed to certify the election results.
Council members opposed to the law say it has flaws related to its penalties and ambiguities related to whom it affects. City Manager Greg Burris predicted and openly hoped a lawsuit will prevent the city from enforcing the law. Voters narrowly passed the law, with 8,247 (50.67 percent) of voters approving it and 8,028 (49.33 percent) voting against it.
