Missouri Democrats again stall GOP efforts to repeal paid sick leave

For the second time this month, the Missouri Democratic Party has blocked a Republican effort to repeal a paid sick leave initiative.

Despite Missouri voters overwhelming passing a guaranteed paid sick leave ballot initiative last November, Republicans in the state legislature are attempting to pass House Bill 567, which would repeal the provision. Under the provision, employers are required to offer one hour of paid sick leave per 30 hours worked, and it is set to go into effect on May 1.

Democrats in the state Senate conducted an eight-hour filibuster into the early morning hours on Thursday, and Republicans eventually adjourned for the week without voting on HB 567.

UPDATE: The Senate has adjourned without taking a vote on HB 567.

For the second week in a row, Senate Democrats have successfully blocked legislation that would take earned sick leave away from MILLIONS of working Missourians. #moleg https://t.co/rfk1B84Krb

— Senate Democrats (@MoSenDems) April 24, 2025

This was the second time in the last week where Democrats successfully blocked the GOP effort to undermine the will of voters. Republicans have expressed interest in passing the bill before the state legislature adjourns the 2025 session in the middle of May.

The GOP successfully sent a bill to Gov. Mike Kehoe’s (R) desk that would strip the ability of courts to amend confusing ballot language. State Sen. Rick Brattin (R-Harrisonville) who authored that bill, chastised voters last week on the Senate floor for engaging in direct democracy to pass things like paid sick leave, raising the minimum wage and protecting reproductive rights.

Missouri State Sen. Rick Brattin (R-Harrisonville) insults voters who passed a paid sick leave initiative last November.

“This is the problem with direct democracy… They have no skin in the game whatsoever when it comes to these sorts of measures … Most people casting these… pic.twitter.com/hnKm6bI495

— Heartland Signal (@HeartlandSignal) April 17, 2025