Procedural maneuvering and resulting partisan bickering highlighted both Senate and House sessions Wednesday as legislation to prohibit the unionization of university graduate students was passed onto Governor Snyder for approval.
The Senate and the House had both previously passed Senate Bill 971, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville (R-Monroe), however, the measure had not-yet been ordered enrolled as the House Democratic Caucus has demanded a record roll call vote on immediate effect in the House – a vote that would predictably not achieve the necessary two-thirds. Since the Michigan Employment Relations Commission is scheduled to rule on the matter next week specifically related to a group of University of Michigan graduate students, the lack of immediate effect and the resulting March 2013 effective date would not help Republicans.
During session on the Senate floor, House Bill 4246, a multi-section bill that had previously been given immediate effect by the House, was discharged from the Senate Education Committee and the language from SB 971 was substituted-in. What followed was a series of procedural moves by both Democrats and Republicans, resulting in a Call of the Senate, at least one lengthy recess, a series of rulings from the Chair, significant shouting and floor statements and, ultimately, the measure’s passage over to the House for final approval.
When the measure arrived at the House, the Democratic Caucus was equally angered and prepared for more procedural action; however, after a brief period, the legislation was ordered enrolled with immediate effect and is now on its way to the Governor’s desk where he is expected to sign it.