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Diehl: Right-to-Work may come Wednesday

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — House Majority Floor Leader John Diehl, R-Town and County, says he is prepared to bring up controversial “Right-to-Work” legislation next Wednesday if the bill’s ballot language is finalized, setting the stage for potentially the most contentious vote of the legislative session in the lower chamber.

Earlier today, House Speaker Tim Jones, R-Eureka, told reporters that the ultimate decision to bring the bill, sponsored by Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Springfield, would be up to Diehl. Jones told reporters he couldn’t speak to the specifics of Deihl’s intentions.

Rep. John Diehl
Rep. John Diehl

Diehl told The Missouri Times that he was prepared to bring up the bill yesterday, but that Jones and Burlison asked him not to until the bill’s ballot language could be improved. The bill would put Right-to-Work on the ballot during the 2014 election cycle.

“Decisions like this aren’t made in a vacuum, but it’s true that the ultimate decision to bring it on the floor is up to me,” Diehl said.

Diehl said that if Jones and Burlison give him the thumbs up on ballot language, he’s prepared to bring the bill to the floor as early Wednesday, April 9.

“I consult with the leadership and the bill sponsors on virtually every bill, and I’ll be doing that in the coming days,” Diehl said.