Missouri Senate leader skeptical on right-to-work this year

Missouri Senate leader skeptical on right-to-work this year

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri Senate President Pro Tem Tom Dempsey says he has doubts about whether right-to-work can become law this year.

Dempsey said Tuesday he hasn't decided whether he would vote for right-to-work. But he said he still will allow it to come to a vote in the Senate after the measure passed the House last week.

The Missouri House's passage came on a 91-64 vote, putting the measure short of the 109 votes needed to override an anticipated veto by Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon.

Dempsey said he has many relationships with union members, and there were good reasons for the formation of unions. But he said he believes the state has lost out on some business opportunities because it's not a right-to-work state.