House Bill 4929 passed the House of Representatives Thursday 55-53 following debate that had Republicans and Democrats both criticizing the measure. The legislation, which prevents union dues from being automatically deducted from teachers’ paychecks, now moves to the Senate.
Proponents of the legislation, sponsored by Representative Joe Haveman (R-Holland), state that the reform provides educators with the ability to have power over their income while also potentially saving school districts money in payroll processing. Opponents, however, point to the House Fiscal Agency Analysis indicating that no savings would be realized and it only adds an inconvenience to teachers.
During the heated debate, Representative Tim Bledsoe (D-Grosse Pointe) was interrupted by the Chair and had his remarks gaveled down after suggesting the reform would create a “plantation economy in our schools.”
Representatives Ben Glardon (R-Owosso), Ken Horn (R-Frankenmuth), Holly Hughes (R-Montague), Kenneth Kurtz (R-Coldwater), Paul Muxlow (R-Brown City), Earl Poleski (R-Jackson), Deb Shaughnessy (R-Charlotte), and Sharon Tyler (R-Niles) joined Democrats in voting against the legislation.