Wisconsin-Style Bill Hits Florida

Economic Policy Journal ^ | 2/22/2011 | Robert Wenzel

[FromLori]

Politico reports:

Sen. John Thrasher, former state GOP chairman, looks like he has filed a bill (SB830) to starve unions like the Florida Education Association, SEIU, AFL-CIO, firefighters, police unions or AFSCME by banning the Democratic-leaning organizations from using salary deductions for political purposes. The legislation also says any "public employer may not deduct or collect" union dues, etc. Lastly, it says that any public employee who didn't specifically authorize the use of his money could be entitled to a partial refund.

The Florida Times Union reported last January: The University of North Florida's College of Education and Human Services held a groundbreaking ceremony recently for a new two-story addition that will house four university units, including the Disability Resource Center, Military and Veterans Resource Center, On Campus Transition Program and the Institute for Values, Community and Leadership.

The new 16,000-gross-square-foot building will cost about $5.6 million and is located at the southwest corner of the College of Education and Human Services Building, according to a news release.

"The university is especially grateful to [state] Sen. John Thrasher for his leadership in securing the funding from the state to construct this facility that will house four of our programs," UNF President John Delaney said in the release.

Although taking union cards from government employees is not a bad thing, what really needs to be done is end government envolvement in these sectors. The sponsors of these bills are fighting to advance establishmnet Republican power in a cage match against the power of Democrats, over who gets to divvy up the plunder.

Keep in mind that while the sponsor of this bill, Senator Thrasher, wants to take make it more difficult for the Florida Education Association union to operate, it does not mean he is against government involvement in education.

Last January, the Florida Times Union reported: The University of North Florida's College of Education and Human Services held a groundbreaking ceremony recently for a new two-story addition that will house four university units, including the Disability Resource Center, Military and Veterans Resource Center, On Campus Transition Program and the Institute for Values, Community and Leadership.

The new 16,000-gross-square-foot building will cost about $5.6 million and is located at the southwest corner of the College of Education and Human Services Building, according to a news release.

"The university is especially grateful to [state] Sen. John Thrasher for his leadership in securing the funding from the state to construct this facility that will house four of our programs," UNF President John Delaney said in the release.

[Rome2000]

New Hampshire House Passes Right-to-Work Measure, Governor Promises Veto

On Tuesday afternoon, the GOP-led House in New Hampshire voted 221-131 to make the Granite State the 23rd state in the nation to outlaw unions’ ability to have workers fired for not paying union dues. The bill to make New Hampshire a Right-to-Work state now moves to the New Hampshire Senate where Republicans enjoy a 19-5 majority. However, before the bill become law it must be signed by the Democratic Governor, John Lynch, who has said he would veto it.

According to Republican Steve Vaillancourt, overriding Democrat Lynch’s expected veto is possible, but it may be difficult:

House Bill 474, better known as the Right To Work bill (”relative to freedom of choice on whether to join a labor union”), will pass the New Hampshire House overwhelmingly this week (either late Tuesday or early Wednesday), but the number to watch is 31.

That’s the number of Republicans who could vote against the bill, and it would still survive Governor John Lynch’s promised veto when it comes back later in the spring.

Here’s how it works, and these numbers are based on all Reps being present for a given vote (something that never happens, of course). With Republican in control 297-102, if 31 Republicans joined all Democrats in voting against the bill, the margin would be 266-133, exactly enough to override a veto. Bearing in mind that Tuesday’s vote was 221-131, according to Vaillancourt’s comments above, overriding a gubernatorial veto is readily within the GOP’s grasp.

[bobjam]

Unfortunately for Florida democrats, the GOP holds veto-proof majorities in both houses of the legislature, so fleeing across state lines will not prohibit a quorum.

[Rockitz]

The argument against public employee unions is that they are the very definition of a conflict of interest. The only means to separate the “quid pro quo” relationship between public employee unions and politicians is to take decisions regarding compensation and benefits away from politicians. There needs to be an operations administrator for every civil entity that is not held hostage by the whim of voters and is absolutely dedicated to representing the interests of taxpayers. End of story. Learn it, Live it.

[Frank_2001]

So, the Rust Belt states are also forced unionism states. Sometimes, correlation STRONGLY implies causation!;)

[WOBBLY BOB]

[FromLori]

Good pic worth a thousand words..

[Goldwater Girl]

Consider it done- the teacher merit pay proposal has been born again by Senator Wise of Jax.
And there are more bills to make state and local employees contribute to their retirement plan, and limit the state's subsidies for health insurance.
Florida is already a right to work state, and about the only unions are government employees.
GG

[Scanian]

Another opportunity for Rick Scott to show what he is made of.

[jmaroneps37]

Elections have consequences my jackass friends, elections have consequences!

[GailA]

Bet their jaws dropped to learn that their rent would have to go up along with other people’s property taxes.

Memphis city schools SURRENDERED their charter, which means Shelby Co has to pick up the students. City Schools suck, County are half way decent. County has half the number of city kids...so are not geared for that at the admin level. And in 3 years the demorats would rule both systems, where as the county is now GOP controled. Big legal fight going on over it both on the county and state levels.

But we know it will mean more taxes, and a return of BUSING, because the city will scream inequality. And that will mean a flight of white and blacks out of the county and some out of state. Many blacks have moved to the county for the better, safer schools...even the teachers.

[liberalh8ter]

This is fantastic. I hope all States follow through with similar legislation. Unions have assaulted the American people. it’s time they lost their power.

[RetiredArmy]

Things are looking up all around. Four local and county judges and probate judge jumped the rat ship yesterday and came to the republican party. the PJ said that this was not the dim party that his father and grandfather were in. Duh, how long did it take him too see that hand writing on the wall. Guess he read his Bible and the book of Daniel.

[tutstar]

bttt

[longtermmemmory]

I believe FL has veto proof majorities.

Democrats in FL are irrelivant. (sp)

[longtermmemmory]

the yellow zones have the most unemployment.

not having “right to work” laws is the kiss of death for a state.

[Ladysmith]

mark