Missouri Senate limits discrimination protection for government employees

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3/ 2/2011: Radio Story - Despite a fillibuster and debate on the Senate floor, the Senate gives a pro-business bill first round approval.

Intro:	Missouri Senators approve a plan to make the state's employee discrimination laws match the federal government's, but one St. Louis County legislator thinks it is a step in the wrong direction.
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Wrap: As part of the plan, state employees can't sue if they're fired for unjust reasons.

The bill's Republican sponsor says taxpayers are currently paying the price for discrimination lawsuits against the state.

St. Louis County Democratic Senator Maria Chappelle-Nadal opposes the plan, saying it weakens discrimination protections when they should be strengthened.

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Description: "I can tell you right now if people are being discriminated now obviously the civil rights law of 1964 is not enough."

Clay County Republican Senator Luann Ridgeway and the Senate Democrats voted against the bill.

But the measure now moves on to the House.

Reporting from the State Capitol, I'm Andrew Weil.

Intro:	The opposition of one Missouri legislator isn't enough to stop the plan to limit discrimination protection for government employees.
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Wrap: The Senate passed a bill that calls for the state's employee discrimination laws to mirror the federal government's.

It would bar state employees from collecting anything other than backpay and interest if they are fired for unjust reasons.

Clay County Senator Luann Ridgeway was the only Republican to vote against the bill, saying the plan does exactly what people hate most about government.

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Description: "We are carving out a special status for government where that they're not liable for the same amount of damages that the private individual and private business is held responsible for."

But Ridgeway's opposition wasn't enough to stop the bill from moving onto the House.

Reporting from the State Capitol, I'm Andrew Weil.

Intro:	Opposition by Senate Democrats and one Republican is not enough to stop the plan to limit discrimination protection for government employees.
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Wrap: The Senate passed a bill that calls for the state's employee discrimination laws to mirror the federal government's.

It would stop former employees from suing for discrimination after the state fired them.

Republican Brad Lager says taxpayers are paying for lawsuits against the state.

He says those in opposition need to realize the basis of federal law is the civil rights act of 1964.

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Description: "They are essentially saying that that has not done it's job and clearly it has."

Clay County Republican Senator Luann Ridgeway and Senate Democrats voted against the bill.

But the measure now moves on to the House.

Reporting from the State Capitol, I'm Andrew Weil.