Thursday, April 28, 2011

GOVERNOR NIXION TO VETO SB 188 IN, ST. LOUIS FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2011 at 12:30PM



For Immediate Release

Gov. Jay Nixon to Veto Senate Bill 188
that would undermine Missouri’s enforcement and protection of human rights as required by the Missouri Human Rights Act by legalizing and legitimizing discrimination in Missouri 

Gov. Nixon will hold a press conference on the steps of the Old Courthouse in St. Louis to announce veto of Senate Bill 188

At 1 p.m. Friday (April 29), Gov. Jay Nixon will visit the Old Courthouse in St. Louis to veto Senate Bill 188.  Unless vetoed, the bill would undermine key provisions of the Missouri Human Rights Act, rolling back decades of progress in protecting civil rights.

For a detailed review of the Jefferson City, NAACP’s objections to SB 188 see our blog at www.jcnaacp.blogspot.com.

“This bill would make it harder to prove discrimination in the workplace, and would throw new hurdles in the path of those whose rights have been violated,” Gov. Nixon said earlier this week. “That is unacceptable.”  Nimrod Chapel, Jr., President of the Jefferson City, MO NAACP will witness firsthand, “Governor Nixon’s veto of this bill that would have affected every Missourian adversely.”

The Governor will be joined by members of the Jefferson City, MO NAACP and a broad coalition of Missourians as he vetoes this legislation.  “Please join us in celebrating Governor Nixon’s good leadership in action as SB 188 is vetoed.”  said Chapel.


Friday,  April 29, 2011

WHO:             Governor Jay Nixon

WHAT:          Press conference to veto Senate Bill 188 regarding the Missouri Human Rights Act and employment discrimination

WHEN:          1 p.m.
                        Friday, April 29

WHERE:       Old Courthouse
11 North 4th Street
St. Louis, Missouri

Please note: The Governor’s announcement will take place on the Broadway side of the Old Courthouse.  Broadway will be closed from Chestnut to Market for this event to accommodate the audience and parking for individuals with disabilities.

For planning purposes, if you are with the media - please e-mail Sam.Murphey@mo.gov if you plan to cover this event (he has the best access the Governor and other logistics).  Questions related the Jefferson City NAACP can be directed to Nimrod Chapel, Jr., jcnaacp@gmail.com

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Limited Time Offer - Act Now to Save Your Civil Rights From SB 188 CALL EMAIL or FAX TODAY!


CALL GOVERNOR JAY NIXON AT
(573) 751-3222 AND REQUEST THAT HE VETO SENATE BILL 188 TODAY

UNLESS HE VETOES SB 188 BY MAY 2nd IT BECOMES LAW 

The Jefferson City NAACP oppose SB 188 Because It Legalizes Individual Discrimination in Missouri and Weakens Missouri’s Human and Civil Rights Laws

Senate Bill 188 will remove Missouri’s current human rights protections for

Women,
the Disabled,
People of Faith,
People 40 & Older,
and
Racial or Ethnic Minorities

Missouri’s Protection of it citizens extends to everyone. 

Senate Bill 188 would legalize discrimination in our state because it would allow individual employees and private membership clubs to discriminate against people by exempting them from the law that prohibits discrimination in the state – the Missouri Human Rights Act. 

Missouri law currently prohibits private clubs, people and businesses from discriminating against other people in employment, public accommodations and housing.  Without Governor Nixon’s protection of Missouri citizens by vetoing SB 188,  every person in Missouri’s boarders could be subject to a wide variety of discriminatory conduct currently prohibited. People (all women, people of color or ethnicity, the disabled, people of faith and people over 40 years of age) in the state of Missouri will no longer be protected against discriminatory conduct on or off the job, at restaurants, in the provision of services by business to thepublic or housing. 

Even after letting the person who discriminates off the hook, SB 188 stacks the law in favor of those alleged to have discriminated by:

·      Limiting what a jury can consider if the case goes to trial,
·      Making it easier for human rights cases to be kicked out of court on summary judgment (before a jury can even determine what happened in the case),
·      Restricting damages to back pay,
·      Eliminating punitive damage awards against the state and all of its political subdivisions, and
·      Overturning decades of civil rights law created in our own Missouri courts.

Further SB 188
·      removes all Missouri case law relating to exceptions to the employment at will doctrine,
·      restricts the ability to bring retaliation claims after a person notifies their employer of a complaint,
·      restricts the ability to bring whistle blower claims and limits recovery under those claims as well.

Ultimately, there are two issues: 1.) Should discrimination in Missouri be legalized? and 2.) Is SB 188 immoral?

Discrimination is a sin.  No matter your faith, it is a sin.  It hurts the person who is being discriminated against and the person who is discriminating.  The Missouri Chamber argues that discrimination hurts businesses in Missouri.  They are right – that’s why it is currently illegal to discriminate against people.  Discrimination is bad for business and it is bad for society. 

ACT TODAY TO OPPOSE SB 188 BY ASKING GOVERNOR NIXON TO PROTECT OUR RIGHTS AS PEOPLE

·      Call Governor Jay Nixon (573) 751-3222.

·      Email a request that Governor Nixon veto SB 188 to mogov@mail.mo.gov

·      Mail, fax or hand-deliver this letter or your own in opposition to SB 188 to Governor Nixon at

Governor Jay Nixon
216 State Capitol
P.O. Box 720
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Phone: (573) 751-3222
Fax:  (573)751-1495

Dear Governor Nixon:

Please veto Senate Bill 188.  The bill legalizes discrimination against Missourians.  It makes it harder to seek legal redress for any claim of discrimination, retaliation or whistle blowing. Discrimination is offensive to my moral and religious code.  We need your leadership to protect the hard working men and women of Missouri regardless of their sex, religion, age, disability, race or heritage.  Senate Bill 188 will hurt economic development in Missouri at the same time it hurts citizens. Please veto SB 188.

Sincerely,

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