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Labor coalition runs TV ads as RTW fight heads into summer

Saint Louis, Mo. — A labor coalition called “Preserve Middle Class Missouri” has launched a television ad campaign that promises to play a vocal role in the Right-to-Work battle ahead of Missouri lawmakers.

The ad has been running since last week in Kansas City and St. Louis, and it specifically aimed at a pre-veto Gov. Jay Nixon. The Democrat has promised to veto the bill, which Republicans finally advanced to his desk earlier this month. The group has promised new ads once Nixon officially vetoes the bill that will be aimed straight at pressuring lawmakers.

The labor coalition’s message focuses on labeling RTW legislation as anti-worker and likely to drive down the average wages of working families, an argument roundly rejected by RTW supporters, who say the law will attract more businesses is the state an increase employment.

The ramp-up against RTW comes as lawmakers return home from the summer after a hectic 2015 legislative session that, for the first time, saw the Missouri senate pass RTW language. Although the senate’s move to pass the bill required a “previous question” motion, an uncommon procedural tool, and resulted in a full-blown mutiny in the upper chamber from Democrats, who spent the remaining days of the legislative session effectively filibustering all business before the body.

The legislation passed short of veto-proof majorities in both chambers and the vote-whipping process is certain to be bloody as pro-labor groups and conservative think tanks pour money into ad campaigns and make promises for coming primary challenges.

Both sides have privately promised to turn up the volume on their respective campaigns as the special veto session in September nears. Missourians are certain to here more about Right-to-Work before the summer is through.