Volume 1, Issue 7 – The Week of March 4, 2019
Protecting Hardworking Missourians
This week, I presented one of my legislative priorities to the Senate’s Small Business and Industry Committee. Senate Bill 209 prohibits employers from requiring an employee or prospective employee to consent to a credit check as a condition of employment. This would not apply to those seeking to be a fiduciary. This legislation stems from the idea that people should not be denied employment because of their credit. I believe the reason a person should be hired is because they are qualified to do the job, not because of their financial history. Senate Bill 209 simply requires employers to focus on the credentials of the employee, rather than something unrelated like their credit history. I look forward to working on passing this legislation out of committee in the near future.
On the Senate floor this week, we debated Senate Bill 10. This legislation changes our state’s minimum wage law. This bill would allow any employer to pay any employee, who is a minor, 85 percent of the minimum wage. I oppose this legislation. Missourians work hard for the wages they earn, and after the recent voter-approved minimum wage increase, we should not be attempting to lower their wages. I believe everyone should be paid a fair wage, regardless of their age. Employers should not be able to lower their costs by hiring those under the age of 18, just as minors should not be paid less simply because of their age. I think we should be empowering our young people to become financially responsible, and I think that begins by paying them a meaningful wage. This legislation was heard on the Senate floor for several hours, but ultimately, the bill was laid over. As SB 10 moves through the legislative process, I will be sure to keep you informed.
Taking a slight break from the happenings of the Legislature, I would like to bring to your attention some events happening in our community.
The Gateway Hemophilia Association will be hosting a Unite for Bleeding Disorders walk/5k to raise funds for programs and services helping those with hemophilia, Von Willebrand disease and other rare bleeding disorders. The event will be held on May 4, at Forest Park Cricket Field, St. Louis, MO 63112. Registration for the event will start at 8:30 a.m., and the walk/5k will begin at 9:30 a.m. For more information about the event or how to register, please visit www.gatewayhemophilia.org.
Additionally, there was an election this week in the City of St. Louis. On March 5, the primary municipal elections were held, but this is not the last election to determine the leadership of our city this year. The general election will be held on April 2. I encourage all city residents to visit the St. Louis Board of Election website to familiarize yourself with the candidates that will be appearing on the general election ballot. St. Louis County elections will also be held on April 2nd.
Thank you for your interest in the legislative process. I look forward to hearing from you on the issues that are important to you this legislative session. If there is anything my office can do for you, please do not hesitate to contact my office at (573) 751-3599.