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Friends,
The first week of session has concluded and I can tell you that it will not be a friendly session for Labor. Already there has been two Paycheck Deception bills filed in the Senate by Jason Crowell (SB435) and Dan Brown (SB553), and three Right-to-work bills filed by Rob Mayer (SB438) Jason Crowell (SB514) and Chuck Purgasson( SB547).
Paycheck Deception
The two Paycheck Deception Bills have already been assigned to the Small Business, Insurance and Industry Committee. That committee's members include: Scott Rupp, 2nd, Chairman, Mike Parson, 28th, Vice-Chairman, Jason Crowell, 27th, Brian Munzlinger, 18th, Jay Wasson, 20th, Victor Callahan, 11th and Tim Green, 13th.
Police and Fire are included in both of these bills. Below you will find a summary of how these two bills read. If you all remember from last year, if these bills were to pass out of the General Assembly, they would go to the vote of the people rather than the Governors desk.
SB 435( Jason Crowell)- Upon voter approval, this act bars public employee labor unions from withholding fees from employee paychecks. The act requires the employee's consent for public employee labor unions to use fees and dues for political purposes.
The labor union must keep records of all authorizations and submit them to the Labor and Industrial Relations Commission.
The employee must authorize the amount to be used for political contributions. The employee may also stipulate to which committee their fees will be paid. Authorizing or refraining from authorizing any amount shall in no way affect employment.
Myself and Kenny Mitchell spent the majority of our time yesterday on the Senate side of the Capital talking with our Friendly Republican State Senators about the Paycheck deception Bills and why they are Bad for our Union. I was told that during the Republican Caucus yesterday that Senator John Lamping urged his fellow Republican Senators to take Fire and Police out of the Bills. Apparently Senator Crowell did not like the idea of carving us out. We made it clear that the Fire Fighters expect their friends in the Senate to stand and fight for them this session against Senator Crowell and Brown. I do believe in the end we will be OK.
As far as the House, I have the assurance of Speaker Tilley that he will not allow a bill that harms Fire Fighters out of the House.
Right-To-Work
The three Right-to-Work bills have already been assigned to the general laws committee. This committee includes some of the most far right members in the Senate. Labor will once again have to rely on the Democrat's in the Senate to Filibuster this bill on the Floor. I am positive these bills will get out of this committee.
General Laws Committee includes the following members: Jane Cunningham, 7th, Chairman, Brian Nieves, 26th, Vice-Chairman, Brian Munzlinger, 18th, Chuck Purgason, 33rd, Ron Richard, 32nd, Luann Ridgeway, 17th, Rob Schaaf, 34th, S. Kiki Curls, 9th, Robin Wright-Jones, 5th
I will send you all a weekly status report of all the bills that may affect Fire Fighters tomorrow. Have a great week and enjoy the weather tomorrow.
Mark Habbas
Legislative Director
Missouri State Council of Fire Fighters
314.393.9757
habbas2665@yahoo.com
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