So where are those corporate leaders in Missouri?

Too many of them are on the sidelines.

When they come for the St. Louis economy, will they speak up then?

During the debate over SJR 39, at least one major St. Louis corporation was using its megaphone to speak out. Monsanto Co. urged the Senate to drop the resolution.

“We call on other businesses and the ag community to join us in speaking out against discrimination in Missouri and around the world. #SJR39,” the company tweeted from its Twitter account. Its lobbyist was working the halls against the resolution and the phones seeking more corporate leaders to speak up.

When it comes down to it, those corporate leaders — especially those who remained silent or worked quietly behind the scenes as SJR 39 passed — share some of the blame for this legislative state of affairs.

Look at the campaign finance records of Richard and Onder. Beyond their top donor (in both cases, St. Louis mega-donor Rex Sinquefield), much of their support comes from St. Louis businesses.