The referendum on the 2017 right-to-work law is currently slated for the Nov. 6, 2018 ballot. Rep. Holly Rehder’s HCR 102, which passed the House Economic Development Committee on April 24, could move this vote forward to the August primary.
At the committee hearing Rehder said there were pros and cons to both dates, but that her main reason for sponsoring the legislation was to simply get right-to-work resolved as quickly as possible.
“We have businesses now looking at us that are telling us that this is important to have this put to bed,” said Rehder.
In addition to the referendum, it is possible that a right-to-work constitutional amendment could appear on a 2018 ballot.
There are two different courses of action in progress that could accomplish this. One is SJR 40 sponsored by Sen. Caleb Rowden, which has passed the Senate General Laws Committee. Alternatively, a pro-right-to-work group is gathering signatures for an initiative petition. Those signatures would have to be submitted for verification by May 6.
Whether by signature collection or by the passage of a resolution by the legislature, it is likely Missourians will get to vote on a constitutional amendment this year.
August ballot measures will be finalized by mid-June.
For more information, contact Matt Panik, Missouri Chamber vice president of governmental affairs, at mpanik@mochamber.com or 573.634.3511.
