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Missouri AG faces pushback from lawmakers over $3M budget increase, Starbucks lawsuit • Missouri Independent

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missouriindependent.com – Rudi Keller – 2025-02-12 13:19:00

Missouri AG faces pushback from lawmakers over $3M budget increase, Starbucks lawsuit

by Rudi Keller, Missouri Independent
February 12, 2025

Members of the Missouri House Budget Committee on Wednesday made Attorney General Andrew Bailey defend his request for millions in additional funding and his decision to sue Starbucks for allegations it discriminated against white applicants in hiring and promotions.

Republican members of the committee led the questioning of Bailey’s request for new funds, asking why he needed more money when his office hasn’t spent all it was given in past years.

“You’re asking for more personal service (funding), but you’re leaving $2 million on the bottom line,” said state Rep. John Voss, a Republican from Cape Girardeau. “So why do you say that they’re not funded when I think there’s sufficient room for you to use that? I honestly think the issue isn’t money. It’s something else preventing you from being able to hire attorneys.”

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Democrats took the lead on the Starbucks case, filed Tuesday in federal court.

“I’m just curious if white-served coffee tastes a little bit better because if it does I’m happy to have some,” said state Rep. Raychel Proudie, a Democrat from Ferguson.

Bailey defended the budget request by saying his office was seeking to hire experienced attorneys to handle more complex cases and to mentor lawyers hired for their first job after law school. 

The Starbucks case, Bailey said, was filed because he believes the company’s diversity, equity and inclusion programs and executive incentives are illegal.

“The statute in the (Missouri Human Rights Act) says that if it appears to the attorney general that any of these rights are being either violated or even that anyone is suppressing those rights, that the attorney general then, under the statute, has the authority to take legal action,” Bailey said.

Lawmakers appropriated $44.7 million for Bailey’s office in the current fiscal year and he is asking for $47.4 million for the year beginning July 1. State budget office documents show Bailey spent only $28.2 million of $43 million set aside for his office in fiscal 2024, leaving the remainder, including $1.7 million in general revenue, unspent.

Over the past eight years, the attorney general’s office has had a growing vacancy problem, with more than 32% of authorized personnel slots unused in fiscal 2024. In fiscal 2017, about 22% of the authorized personnel slots, designated as full time equivalents or FTEs in state budget documents, were unused.

Part of the personnel issue for his office, Bailey said, is expanded legal teams at individual state agencies and the lure of private practice once attorneys have gained experience.

The increased funding, he said, will help cut turnover by allowing him to recruit more  experienced attorneys to work with the newly graduated lawyers. He is not, he said, asking for additional personnel slots.

“I noticed when I took over, to put it in military terms, I had a lot of privates and a lot of lieutenants, but not a lot of sergeants,” Bailey said.

Voss, however, wasn’t convinced that the extra money is needed.

“I think you have the money,” Voss said. “I just don’t think that’s the real problem.”

In the Starbucks lawsuit, filed in the U.S. Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, Bailey alleges that hiring and promotion decisions, as well as executive bonuses, were tied to a quota system for women and minority recruitment. 

In 2020, the lawsuit states, 69% of Starbucks’ employees in the United States were women and 47% were Black or other minorities. In September, the filing states, 70.9% of Starbucks employees were women and 52.2% were Black or other minorities.

“In other words, since 2020, Starbuck’s workface (sic) has become more female and less white,” the filing states.

“As Attorney General, I have a responsbility (sic)  to protect Missourians from a company that actively engages in systemic race and sex discrimination,” Bailey said. 

As a result, Bailey wrote in the lawsuit, “Missouri consumers pay higher prices and wait longer for goods and services that could be provided for less had Starbucks employed the most qualified workers, regardless of their race, color, sex, or national origin.”

Starbucks said it does not discriminate in a statement in response to the lawsuit.

“We disagree with the attorney general and these allegations are inaccurate,” the company stated. “We are deeply committed to creating opportunity for every single one of our partners (employees). Our programs and benefits are open to everyone and lawful. Our hiring practices are inclusive, fair and competitive and designed to ensure the strongest candidate for every job every time.”

In the hearing Tuesday, state Rep. Betsy Fogle, a Democrat from Springfield, said she sees nothing wrong in Starbucks increasing its employment of women and minorities.

“There are a lot of us in this room that celebrate that fact,” Fogle said. “We want women in the workforce. We want individuals and groups who have historically been out of the workforce to be full participants.”

In reply, Bailey said he is trying to promote fair hiring for all applicants.

“It is my opinion that everyone should have equal access to job opportunities, and the decisions should be made in accordance with the statutes and promotion of merit,” he said.

State Rep. Aaron Crossley, a Democrat from Independence, asked Bailey about other lawsuits against private companies, requesting a list of those actions.

“And then also, could we please get a breakdown of your office’s staff and by gender and by race,” he said, “just make sure that we’re practicing what we preach.”

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Missouri Independent is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Missouri Independent maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jason Hancock for questions: info@missouriindependent.com.

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Trump cuts Department of Education in half

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www.youtube.com – KSDK News – 2025-03-15 14:51:55

SUMMARY: The Trump administration’s recent cuts to the Department of Education have led to the dismissal of 1,300 employees, including half of the Office of Civil Rights. Parents and advocates fear this will weaken federal oversight of special education, risking regression for vulnerable students. While Education Secretary Linda McMahon claims core functions will remain intact, critics argue this move aligns with President Trump’s goal to dismantle the department. Some, like Wyoming’s superintendent, welcome the changes as a way to reduce federal influence and allow states greater control over education. This shift is likely to intensify debates on school choice versus traditional public schooling.

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Half of the employees of the U.S. Department of Education have been given walking papers in what is believed to be a first step in shutting the entire department down.

1,300 employees are gone, including half of the Civil Rights division.

S/ Lindsay Latham / Mom and Disability Advocate

“If we go backwards, we are going to see such a regression in the most vulnerable population,” said Lindsay Latham, a mother and disability advocate.

While schools are run and funded at 90 percent at the state level, the Education Department is tasked with protecting students with disabilities, investigating discrimination and helping low income school districts.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon said those basic functions will continue.

“None of that is going to fall through the cracks.”

McMahon has acknowledged that the ultimate goal is the end of the very department she leads.

“His directive to me, clearly, is to shut down the Department of Education.”

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Thousands without power, widespread damage from Missouri tornadoes

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www.youtube.com – KSDK News – 2025-03-15 06:21:16

SUMMARY: Severe weather and tornadoes caused widespread damage across Missouri, with heavy winds and power outages impacting many areas. North St. Louis County experienced downed power lines, and a fire spread to homes after tree branches fell on power lines. Thousands remain without power, with over 477,000 in St. Louis County alone. The storm’s impact also included fires caused by barbecue pits and debris scattered across streets. Officials urge caution around downed power lines and flooded areas. Power restoration may take days or even weeks in some locations. Drivers are warned about high water hazards, and several rescues have been made.

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Close to 150000 buildings are without power Saturday morning and sunlight will soon shed light on neighborhood damage after …

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Nashville girls basketball rides dream season to state championship

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www.youtube.com – KSDK News – 2025-03-14 20:23:39

SUMMARY: Nashville girls basketball clinched the Illinois Class 2A State title with a 55-29 victory over Poria Notre Dame in 2025, marking their first championship since 2013. This hard-won victory avenged last year’s loss to the same team. The Hornets, boasting a 32-3 record, credited their success to off-season dedication and community support. Team members emphasized the importance of teamwork and sacrifice, believing this championship could be the start of sustained success. With a roster filled with underclassmen, including key players like Samantha and Summer Brinkman, Nashville aims to add more banners in the coming years.

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The Hornettes also got some revenge on their way to a Class 2A title.

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