UM workers get extra paid holiday after Kehoe’s bill signing
Ryan Shiner
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Veterans Day will now be considered a paid holiday for University of Missouri System workers following Gov. Mike Kehoe’s signing of House Bill 419 on Wednesday.
Local union LiUNA 955 released a statement in favor of the signing on Wednesday.
“This is a huge victory for our union and for all UM-System workers.” Representative for LiUNA Andrew Hutchinson said in a press release. “Two of our longtime stewards, Mark Perrigo and Darrell Dillon, took off from work to speak at a senate hearing about the need for this holiday. We are so grateful that the legislature and Governor respected their service.”
The bill also the Missouri State High School Activities Association to waive the minimum practice requirement for all students who are active-duty military, which includes the National Guard and Army Reserve.
The bill also allows the Department of Health and Senior Services to approve more medical training programs for loan repayment.
It also allows military personnel and their families to be considered Missouri residents while being enrolled in a state college or university. The bill also states that it creates a separate custodial account with the State Treasure to deposit money from the UM seminary fund, which a release from the governor’s office says will support agriculture programs.
The bill also creates the Public Safety Recruitment and Retention Act, which provides college tuition for some public safety personnel and their legal dependents.