Florida Republicans Wavering On Anti-Union Law

From the Huffington Post:

WASHINGTON -- A controversial bill targeting public unions in Florida appears headed for failure, despite a last-minute lobbying effort by Republican Gov. Rick Scott (R).

The legislation, SB 830, would prohibit state and local governments from automatically deducting union dues from employees' paychecks. Union members would also have to give written consent before their dues are used for political purposes.

According to a report in the Miami Herald, Scott made rare personal visits to the offices of four Republican state senators and pleaded with them to support the measure on Wednesday. All of them, however, were unpersuaded.

"I'm a conservative Republican," said Charlie Dean, one of the senators who met with Scott. "I support the governor and I support the president and speaker. But I also reserve the right somehow to make up my own mind."

Dean aide Kevin Sweeny further told The Huffington Post that the senator objected to the fact that the bill only singles out public employee unions for making automatic paycheck deductions. Indeed, in Florida, there are 364 groups or agencies that can take money out of employees' wages for charitable donations, life insurance, taxes and other deductions. Thrasher's bill, however, focuses only on union dues.

"[Sen. Dean's] main objections are that he doesn't believe it's his money to say; it should be left alone," said Sweeny. "What he would really like to see is if we're going to take away the option for the state to take the money out of the checks, we should do it across the board."

After meeting with Scott, one of the other GOP senators, Miguel Diaz de la Portilla, said of the bill, "It creates division and turmoil, and doesn't create jobs."