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KANSAS CITY, Mo. – On Friday (April 29, 2011), Governor Jay Nixon vetoed a bill that would modify the Human Rights Act, and make it harder for workers to sue for discrimination. He said that modifying the Human Rights Act would scale back protections that took decades to gain.
"Making it easier to discriminate against people with disabilities, or cancer, against women, older workers and minorities, against those of different faiths and ethnicities will not help us create jobs or become more competitive in a global economy," Nixon said.
Supporters of the legislation say it's one of several bills intended to make the legal climate in the state more business-friendly. Republicans and some business groups have argued the legislation would cut down on frivolous lawsuits.
To find out more about the bill, KCUR's Susan Wilson talked to Jo Mannies, political reporter for the St. Louis Beacon, a non-profit news site. They spoke on Thursday, before the bill was vetoed, about what changes it would bring.
Read the St. Louis Beacon's coverage of the bill:
Nixon expected to veto changes to state's anti-discrimination laws
So-called Enterprise bill would weaken protections for whistleblowers
This story was produced for KC Currents. To listen on your own schedule, subscribe to the KC Currents Podcast.
