Missouri’s SB43 legislation was controversial from the beginning. Forwarded by Sen. Gary Romine (R-Farmington) the legislation would change the standards that define cases of workplace discrimination. The reason for the controversy? Gary Romine’s company is in the middle of a suit alleging discriminatory practices, and the law would effectively provide him a shelter for future cases.
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Its sponsor is Sen. Gary Romine, R-Farmington, who has been criticized for pushing this legislation because he owns a company that is being sued for employment discrimination.
The bill would not retroactively affect Romine's pending case, in which it's alleged that a black employee was referred to as "nigger" by co-workers and that a company office contained a map with a predominantly black neighborhood circled and annotated with the words "do not rent to."
Because of this, Democratic House members objected, refusing to vote and noted they will consider sit ins and other options. While the bill itself was heinous, a proposed amendment, which would provide protections for LGBT residents was rejected with an astonishing reason: Homosexuals aren’t humans.
That’s right. Democratic party members, hoping to Christmas tree the bill, forwarded series of amendments to slow the legislation down, but found themselves dumbfounded when the argument against LGBT protections wasn't about whether or not the amendment was germane or if the amendment could be rejected in a vote - no, instead, legislator Rick Brattin (R-Harrisonville) made the argument really clear: they couldn’t consider the amendment because LGBT individuals aren’t human.
This standard, of defining some individuals as “less than human” has a horrible history in the US and globally, as it has been used to advocate for violent outcomes for all individuals who were different.
The legislation itself, apart from the debate over the amendment, makes significant changes in the standards by which discrimination in hiring and work practices may be handled. Representative Crystal Quade, D-Springfield informed the press that this legislation “is a terrible setback to civil rights in Missouri.” Democratic State Chair Stephen Webber concurred, issuing a press release which read: “The Missouri Democratic Party believes civil rights should only move one direction, forward. It's disappointing that the Republican establishment in Jefferson City disagrees.”
The bill has a rough history, including a moment where Missouri NAACP chapter president Rod Chapel found his microphone cut off as he was making comments:
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The committee chairman, Rep. Bill Lant, a Pineville Republican, asked Chapel to “please contain your speech to speaking on the bill.”
Chapel said his comments were related to the bill. He told the committee this was “nothing but Jim Crow.”
Shortly thereafter, Chapel’s microphone was shut off. Lant then thanked Chapel for his testimony. Chapel attempted to continue, but was not permitted to do so.
The legislation, which is supported by Missouri Republican groups and Missouri’s Chamber of Commerce is marketed as a way to “prevent frivolous lawsuits”, or so contends Sen. Gary Romine (R-Farmington).
Whether or not Sen. Romine believes it is frivolous that individuals working in his employ had a case for discrimination regarding signs reading “ni***r” or “don’t rent here” circled to minority-majority communities remains unanswered, as Sen. Romine has never return answered my standing question on this for the last few months.
The legislation moves forward now to Gov. Greitens desk, where it is expected to be signed into law.
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