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U.S. gender wage gap grows for first time in a decade; Trump has embraced NC's Mark Robinson, calling him 'Martin Luther King on steroids'; Volunteers sought as early voting kicks off in MN; Women's political contributions in congressional races fall short of men's.

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Rising threats of political violence, a Federal Reserve rate cut, crypto industry campaign contributions and reproductive rights are shaping today's political landscape.

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A USDA report shows a widening gap in rural versus urban health, a North Carolina county remains divided over a LGBTQ library display, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz' policies are spotlighted after his elevation to the Democratic presidential ticket.

MO to Make It Harder for Workers to Sue for Discrimination

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Friday, August 4, 2017   

ST. LOUIS – The State of Missouri was a topic at the latest national convention of the NAACP, for being in the crosshairs of a debate over race and morality.

This month, a new Missouri law goes into effect that increases the threshold for filing discrimination cases against small businesses and industries. Previously, discrimination only had to be a "contributing" factor under the Missouri Human Rights Act to be unlawful. Now, it has to be the "motivating" factor for a lawsuit to proceed against an employer.

The NAACP Missouri Chapter President Rod Chapel says this isn't about political ideology.

"It's not a political debate on whether or not people can have human rights," he says. "That's not something that can be up for debate. What we have is a departure from morality - now that can have political consequences."

The law also limits damages awarded for employment discrimination to no more than back pay and interest on back pay. Supporters of the law say it brings Missouri anti-discrimination practices into line with other states. Chapel contends people who believe that have been sold a bill of goods.

Chapel points out that what's outlined in Senate Bill 43 isn't the law of the land in the United States, nor does he think it's in line with the nation's moral code. He believes the issue comes down to some key questions:

"Do Missouri citizens have the ability to get accurate information from people who they've entrusted with their leadership?" he asks. "And are those leaders not only telling them the truth but actually reviewing the facts themselves?"

The Missouri NAACP chapter issued a travel advisory in the state in June, when Senate Bill 43 was first signed by Gov. Eric Greitens.

The advisory urges African-American travelers to exercise extreme caution after a state attorney general's report said black drivers in Missouri were 75 percent more likely to be pulled over than whites.


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