Missouri Expands Leave, COVID Liability Provisions

Missouri Governor Mike Parson signed the Victims Economic Safety and Security Act (VESSA) into law earlier this summer with it becoming effective on August 28. On that date, Missouri joined a number of other states in extending unpaid leave to victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse. VESSA applies to all employers in Missouri with…

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Missouri Cuts, Colorado Hikes Stimulus Tax Issues

The states of Missouri and Colorado this week took very different actions relative to the impact of federal stimulus payments for the coronavirus pandemic will have on the state’s taxpayers. In the Show Me State, republican Governor Mike Parson signed a bipartisan tax bill that excludes stimulus payments authorized by the CARES Act from being…

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What’s Brewing: Jobs Recovery, COVID-19 Regulations, Employee Health, Wage Hikes

It was never easy running a quick-service franchise. But over the past few months, the lives of Dunkin’ franchise owners have gotten infinitely more complicated. Franchisees already had their hands full before the coronavirus crisis hit keeping customers happy, keeping employees satisfied, and keeping bottom lines healthy—all while negotiating the challenges posed by various federal,…

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St. Louis Joins Ban the Box Parade

Last week, we advised you that the Maryland Legislature wasted little time before it overrode Governor Larry Hogan’s veto of the Ban the Box legislation in the First State. Keeping in that vein, the city of St. Louis, Missouri approved its own ordinance a few weeks ago and became the third city in the Show…

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Minimum Wages Hike Passes on Both Ballots

As we’ve advised in the past, questions on raising the minimum wage were put to the voters in both Arkansas and Missouri this week and unfortunately, voters in both states agreed with advocates and approved the initiatives. In Arkansas, the current $8.50 minimum will increase to $9.25 in January 2019, then to $10 per hour…

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Missouri Ballot Incentive

For those in the state of Missouri who may need a little extra incentive to get out and vote next Tuesday, there is a question on the ballot that brings the issue of minimum wage home to roost – should the state mandate a minimum wage of $12 per hour by the year 2022? If…

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A Rose By Any Other Name

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed suit this week in the US District Court in Columbia, Missouri challenging a new statute that took effect on Wednesday. An omnibus agriculture bill signed earlier this summer by former Governor Eric Greitens contained a provision prohibiting companies from calling a product “meat” unless it is derived from…

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Missouri Voters Reject Right to Work

Private sector unions in Missouri were the big winners this past Tuesday as voters resoundingly opposed the state right to work law by a 67 – 33% margin. Former Missouri Governor Eric Greitens signed right to work into law almost 18 months ago, but labor groups blocked enactment with a successful petition drive that placed…

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Missouri Will Vote On $12 Minimum Wage This Fall

As if the voters deciding to eliminate the Missouri right to work law wasn’t enough, state officials last week also approved for the fall ballot a measure to raise the state minimum wage to $12 an hour by 2023. The current minimum wage in Missouri is indexed to inflation by law and as a result…

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