HARRISBURG -- The Pennsylvania Senate on Wednesday
approved legislation to stop public employers from deducting political
contributions from workers' paychecks.
The Senate voted by 28-22 to send the bill to the House,
which will not return to session until mid-March. A spokesman for the House
majority leader said the chamber would review the bill.
Supporters of the proposal argue that the state, school
districts, and other public employers should be barred from deducting political
contributions from wages.
"Creating a firewall between politics and our
official business is critical," Sen. Scott Martin (R., Lancaster) said during
floor debate.
Union officials have said the contributions are
voluntary. Senate Democrats say the proposed law is intended to silence
workers.
"It is a measure to shut down the voice of
teachers," said Sen. Vincent Hughes (D., Phila.). "It is a measure to
shut down the voice of others who work in schools, in our public schools, to
limit their ability to speak up and speak clearly about the issues that they
have concerns with."
Deductions of political contributions could continue
under existing collective-bargaining agreements, but future contracts could not
require the deductions.
Source: Philly.com
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