State Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Springfield, said he planned to take another run at right to work this winter. He is sponsoring one of a handful of right-to-work bills that have been introduced in the House and the Senate.

“To me, the problem didn’t go away,” Burlison said. “There are employees in this state who are forced into a situation that is not beneficial to them. This bill will let those employees do what’s in their best interest.”

The key to moving the legislation to Nixon’s desk is getting the measure through the House first. If it wins approval, Senate Majority Leader Mike Kehoe, R-Jefferson City, said he’d bring it up for a vote, even though it could mean another battle with Democrats in the minority.

“In an election year, it’s probably a tougher issue,” Kehoe said. “But that doesn’t mean it’s a less important issue. If that comes over (to the Senate), that’s an issue you can’t just put in a desk drawer.”

Other election-minded Republicans are pushing for the House to move on the matter again this year.

Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, who is running for governor this year, said following the lead of the other right-to-work states would make Missouri a better place for businesses to locate and bring jobs.