By Clara Bates, Missouri Independent and Tierney Kugel, Columbia Missourian
Columbia Missourian, April 29, 2025
The Missouri Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld Proposition A, the voter-approved law expanding paid sick leave set to go into effect Thursday. ...
Proposition A passed with nearly 58% of the vote and had the support of numerous unions, workers’ advocacy groups, social justice and civil rights organizations, as well as over 500 business owners. ...
One proponent of Proposition A is Joseph Chevalier, owner of Yellow Dog Bookshop in Columbia. Yellow Dog Bookshop was one of the businesses that signed the amicus brief in support of the Proposition.
“If a small bookstore like ours can provide paid sick time to employees, so can other businesses,” Chevalier said in a news release Tuesday. “No one should have to work sick in order to keep a roof overhead and food on the table. That’s just wrong. And it’s counterproductive for businesses.” ...
Laurie Knowlton, who has run Pickwick Underground Framing in Springfield, said her support for Proposition A comes from firsthand experience with the value of investing in her employees in a news release Tuesday.
“I was an early supporter of Proposition A because I value my employees and know that when you take care of them, they stay longer and take good care of your customers,” she said in the release. “That’s the key to sustaining a successful small business for 25 years. Employees provide the quality and professional service that produces repeat customers.” ...