Missouri lawmakers met with protests on the final day of legislative session

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KY3) - Discarded papers rained down on the representatives in the Missouri House Chamber who cheered on the completion of another legislative session Thursday afternoon. Oututside on the Capitol steps, at least 100 protesters chanted, “The people united will never be defeated.”

For the first time in more than 70 years, both chambers of the Missouri legislature were adjourned a full day early. In total, 67 bills were sent to the governor, but two led to protesters gathering on the south steps.

Those bills would overturn the abortion and paid sick leave laws voters passed just six months ago. One that will put abortion back on the Missouri ballot, and another to repeal the paid sick leave that 700,000 Missourians just started earning this month.

The governor will decide exactly when abortion will be voted on again, but it’s most likely to be November 2026. This comes only six months after voters passed Amendment Three by 52%. Republicans, including Floor Leader State Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer, called Amendment Three misleading.

“I think what we are going to put on the ballot is much more reflective of what Missourians actually believe when it comes to abortion,” Luetkemeyer said.

When the Missouri Senate gave the final vote of approval on the bill Wednesday night, using a rarely used rule that silences any debate, loud shouting broke out in the upper Senate galleries. Several women were escorted out of the Capitol for shouting, “When abortion rights are under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back!” and “Stop the ban!”

About 700,000 Missourians started earning paid sick leave under Proposition A on May 1. If the governor signs a bill, they will lose that benefit on August 28.

One of the protesters on the Capitol steps was single mother Andi Phillips. Without the paid sick leave promised in proposition A, Phillips said she has to choose between caring for a sick child and making ends meet.

“Missing a shift can mean the difference between making a bill, buying groceries, and not,” Phillips said.

But Republican lawmakers were concerned that small businesses could not afford the demands of the new paid sick leave policy. State Sen. Luektemeyer said it was the most significant issue he heard about from constituents this year.

“If small businesses are going out of business, people are going to lose their jobs, they’re going to hire fewer employees,” Luektemeyer said.

Proposition A, passed with 56% of the vote, promised workers one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked. It also raised the minimum wage to $13.75 per hour. In 2026, it was set to rise to $15 an hour, and then increase each year based on the Consumer Price Index. The bill on the governor’s desk would remove the paid sick leave portion completely and keep the minimum wage at $13.75 an hour unless the legislature decides to change it.

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