|
|
Published May 14, 2008 12:19 am - JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Senate voted Tuesday evening to add to an immigration bill penalties for employers who wrongly label their workers as “contractors” instead of employers.
Missouri: Senator says immigration amendment is ‘game-killing’
The Associated Press
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Senate voted Tuesday evening to add to an immigration bill penalties for employers who wrongly label their workers as “contractors” instead of employers.
But the measure’s sponsor said the amendment could kill the bill.
Sen. Scott Rupp dropped his head onto his desk after his fellow senators yelled a resounding “yes” to approve the worker misclassification provisions by voice vote.
Rupp, R-Wentzville, pledged to plow ahead with the immigration legislation anyway, even though he called the misclassification provisions a “game-killing amendment” that is “radioactive” for House members.
“We will pick it up and put the ball back into their court,” he told reporters after the Senate broke for dinner. The Senate was expected to return to Rupp’s bill later Tuesday night.
Lawmakers have only until Friday evening to pass legislation.
This most recent immigration bill is the second time senators have considered a wide-sweeping bill that adds restrictions and requirements on illegal immigrants, employers and police.
It would require people prove they are U.S. citizens or are legally in the country when applying for food stamps, housing and other public benefits, penalize businesses that knowingly hire illegal immigrants, bar Missouri cities from adopting sanctuary city policies and require the Missouri State Highway Patrol to seek special federal immigration training.
It closely mirrors a Senate-approved immigration bill that was rejected by a House committee earlier this week because of a similar amendment creating penalties for businesses that misclassify their workers and gives the attorney general authority to investigate.
House Immigration Chairman Jerry Nolte said most of the provisions in the latest Senate bill have already cleared his chamber, and that it is unlikely there would have been serious opposition to the bill.
“Without that amendment, we would have had a better chance,” said Nolte, R-Gladstone.
But with the addition of the misclassification provisions, Nolte said he’s concerned about whether lawmakers will be able to pass any immigration legislation this session.
Both Nolte and Rupp said that if that happens, Gov. Matt Blunt should call them back into a special session to deal specifically with immigration legislation.
The troublesome amendment would allow the attorney general to investigate whether businesses are classifying their workers as contractors instead of employees. By doing that, a company can avoid having to pay for withholding taxes and other workers’ benefits. It would apply to construction, public works and maintenance industry employers with at least five workers, and would allow fines of $50 per day for each misclassified worker up to a total of $50,000.
•
Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
|
|
Announcements



: Special Offer For New Subscribers
:


 |
|
|
|
HONDA, 2007 FIT SPORT,
customized interior package, automatic, air, AM/FM/CD, cruise, great mpg, low miles, excellent condition, $11,800. (417)...>MORE
1997 OLDSMOBILE 88
runs good, $1900. 417-850-0731....>MORE
TOYOTA 2004 TACOMA PRERUNNER
Toyota, 2004 Tacoma Prerunner, TRD off road, double cab, V6, new tires, CD, bed liner, lid cover, 100,000 miles, excelle...>MORE
2002 FORD TAURUS SE
nice car, 3.0 liter V6, $2900. 417-850-0731....>MORE
OLDSMOBILE 2003 SILHOUETTE VAN
OLDSMOBILE, 2003 Silhouette mini van, 107,000 miles, scooter/wheelchair hoist, nice, $7000. (417)776-3219....>MORE
2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS
4 door, luxury leather trim, loaded, CD, sunroof, beautiful rig, extra nice, $4500. 1317 Schifferdecker...>MORE
2001 FORD WINDSTAR SE
Sport, loaded, all options, great looking van, extra nice, $3200. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>MORE
2002 KIA OPTIMA EX
4 door, sharp, loaded, leather, CD, sunroof, extra nice, $3200. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>MORE
JEEP 2000 CHEROKEE SPORT
JEEP, 2000 Cherokee Sport, 6 1/2” lift, 35” foggers, locked front end, welded rear end, off road use, winch not included...>MORE
1989 CHEVROLET STEPSIDE
350, V8, custom flames, runs great, $2500. 417-208-6717...>MORE
See all ads |
|
Deerfield Estates
in Carl Junction, prime building sites, reduced $10,000 each. 417-825-0052...>MORE
NEWER 3 BR/2 BA
Lots of upgrades and great location. $149,000 but all offers considered. 903 Katlin, Carl Junction. Pictures www.fsboloc...>MORE
See all ads |
|
(2) TEACUP CHIHUAHUA
APRI puppies. (417)673-1997....>MORE
POODLE, FULL BLOODED
POODLE, full blooded, $75 or best offer. (417)385-8710 after 4:30 p.m....>MORE
REWARD $50,000 REWARD
Offered for any information leading to conviction of any person or persons known to have been involved in alleged ...>MORE
NEW IN BOX
New in box, Lucchese cowboy boots, black, size 9D, $200. (620)231-9256...>MORE
POODLES
POODLES, standard pups, born 10/10, registered, shots, wormed, family raised. Adorable personalities! 417-673-3892....>MORE
INDIAN HEAD PENNIES
INDIAN HEAD PENNIES, 35% Civil War II nickels, V nickels, Buffalo nickels, lots of other coins. Garage full of antiques ...>MORE
DIAMOND SOLITAIRE
Pear-shaped, one carat, diamond solitaire in gold setting. $2,000. Please call 417-825-3238...>MORE
5TH WHEEL
5TH WHEEL, 2004 Prowler Regal, 26’, 2 slides, loaded, nice. (620)674-2127....>MORE
YORKIES
12 weeks old, 2 males, AKC, 1st shots, $175. 417-291-6590, Webb City...>MORE
MALTESE PUPPIES ADORABLE!!
6 weeks old Thanksgiving. 2 boys and 2 girls. Shots, wormed, and vet checked. Healthy, active, and loved! Great Ch...>MORE
See all ads |
|
 |
|