A bill passed by the Missouri Senate would largely discard the state’s merit system of employment for state workers, meaning they could be fired at any time.
The measure was sponsored by Republican Senator Mike Kehoe of Jefferson City, who has roughly 14,000 state workers in his district. He says the top complaint he hears from those employees after low pay is that the merit system unfairly rewards lazy workers.
Democrat Jill Schupp of Creve Coeur disapproves of the measure, saying it lowers the bargaining power of employees.
The measure which was unanimously opposed by Democrats must quickly move through the House if it is to have a chance at becoming law this year.
