Missouri governor repeals paid sick leave law just months after approval
- Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe signed the repeal of a law providing paid sick leave on July 10, 2025.
- The law was initially approved by voters eight months prior and was set to take effect on August 28, 2025.
- The repeal has sparked significant backlash from workers’ rights advocates and could lead to a new ballot initiative to reinstate the law.
In Missouri, on July 10, 2025, Governor Mike Kehoe signed a repeal of a paid sick leave law that was originally approved by voters eight months prior. This law had guaranteed paid sick leave for workers and included provisions for inflationary adjustments to the minimum wage. The repeal is set to officially take effect on August 28, 2025. The repeal followed increasing pressure from business groups who argued that the law was too burdensome and labeled it as 'onerous.' The paid sick leave law allowed employees to earn one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked, equating to a potential 22 hours of sick leave for full-time employees per year. Advocates for workers' rights condemned the repeal, urging that it would force employees to choose between their jobs and caring for sick family members. Richard von Glahn, who sponsored the original ballot initiative, expressed that many parents would have to go to work instead of staying home to care for a sick child due to the financial pressures they face. Despite the setback, von Glahn has submitted a proposed ballot initiative aimed at reinstating the paid sick leave provisions. This new measure would be a constitutional amendment, which means the legislature would not be able to alter it without another vote from the public, effectively bypassing the complications faced by the original legislation. As of now, it is uncertain whether supporters will gather enough momentum to launch a petition for the 2026 ballot. This situation reflects a wider national debate regarding workers' rights and benefits, as many states are grappling with similar issues. The action taken in Missouri indicates a shift toward prioritizing the interests of small business owners over regulations meant to safeguard workers, and reducing the financial burden on businesses marks a significant trend in state policies across the United States. Workers' rights advocates have criticized this move, warning that it sets a dangerous precedent for democratic processes in the state and could undermine the rights of laborers seeking basic benefits.