The has sent its first bill to (D) this year, .
Thepassed the bill today, while thepassed it last month -- it passed both chambers on partisan votes. The bill would bar employees from suing each other over workplace injuries and illnesses, and would restore workers鈥� comp coverage of occupational diseases. (R, Sullivan) argued that it would give Missouri a more business-friendly climate that would be less subject to massively expensive court judgments.
鈥淲hat we鈥檙e trying to accomplish here does not spit in the face of families, it鈥檚 not about big corporate profits," Schatz said. "This bill is about putting occupational disease, co-employment liability, back into workers鈥� compensation where it has been, and been the exclusive remedy, for years...for 84 years, up until 2005.鈥�
Opponents say the bill would not fairly compensate victims of illnesses caused by asbestos or other toxins. In addition, (D, North County) took lawmakers to task for passing basically the same bill two years in a row and not seeking more bipartisan input.
鈥淲e鈥檙e one of three legs of government," Taylor said. "The problem that we have is that a lot of times we think we鈥檙e the only leg, and then we spend a whole 鈥榥other year not getting anything done.鈥�
Governor Nixon vetoed a similar bill last year and has given no indication yet if he鈥檒l veto this year鈥檚 version.
