Missourians didn’t really know what was in that sick leave petition they signed | Opinion
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Summaries of legislation are often fewer than 100 words.
- Paid sick leave could open employers up to legal problems.
- Frivolous lawsuits could proliferate.
“We have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it, away from the fog of the controversy.” — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, March 9, 2020
Missouri does this routinely.
Imagine this scenario:
You elect a state representative or senator to represent you in Jefferson City. After the session ends, he or she comes to talk about it with your local chamber or civics group.
The elected official proudly explains to you that a bill they passed that had a significant impact on Missouri employment law. They tell you it’s nearly 6,000 words of new state legislation.
They smile and say it passed, and they voted yes. Everyone applauds. Then they add: By the way — they hadn’t read it. They only read the summary of fewer than 100 words.
They have no idea what it really does, but they liked what the summary highlighted.
Under this scenario, I think most voters would gasp and be appalled. We all know words matter in law. In fact, commas matter.
Yet this is exactly what happens every year on complex issues with the current initiative petition process.
Proponents of an issue write language that accomplishes what they want, with no one offering opposing ideas or describing problems they are creating. They mislead it all with an increase in minimum wage in the first sentence, and then it states, “one hour of sick leave for every 30 hours worked,” and little else. Out-of-state money floods in to gather signatures from busy Missourians trying to buy groceries or some other activity. Many sign after hearing “increase minimum wage or paid sick leave.” A few read the short summary. No one reads the 5,641 actual words of new law.
The same thing happens at the voting booth — and presto, Missouri has a new state law or constitutional provision.
Let me ask you: Did you know from the fewer-than-100-word summary, you voted to:
- Create criminal penalties for paid sick leave violations.
- Make businesses decide rather they would comply with this law or existing state laws about public health? Since employers cannot ask the reason for absences until after three days, it puts health care facilities, restaurants and grocery stores in impossible situations, complying with existing public health laws.
- Allows frivolous lawsuits for three years about sick leave.
These are just a few examples of what was hidden in the actual language. There are many other rules causing employers potential problems.
This needs to change.
In 2026, the General Assembly will look at making the initiative petition process more transparent and honest. The issue should be one subject controlling one part of law. The summary must accurately and completely describe the changes proposed. For Missouri’s sake, I hope we are successful.
Mike Cierpiot represents District 8 in the Missouri Senate.