Demonstrators took to the Capitol steps Monday in Lansing to sound off on right-to-work legislation that is poised to become law after Gov. Rick Snyder did an abrupt about-face on the issue last week and a series of related bills passed in the House and Senate.
Larger protests are expected Tuesday when the legislation could reach Snyder's desk for his signature. Patch will be live-blogging from Lansing as the situation develops.
[Are you participating in the demonstrations? Leave a comment, upload a photo or e-mail White Lake-Highland Patch editor Brooke Tajer!]
Read on for a description of each bill and to find out how lawmakers who represent White Lake and Highland voted.
House Bill 4054
The legislation that would make Michigan a "right-to-work" state was passed 58 to 52 in the House on Dec. 6, according to michiganvotes.org. The bill would prohibit unions from requiring workers to pay dues as a term of employment. It also includes a $1 million appropriation to make it "referendum-proof," michiganvotes.org reports. (Visit legislature.mi.gov to download the full bill.)
- Rep. Eileen Kowall, R-White Lake, representing the 44th District including White Lake and Highland: Voted yes
Senate Bill 116
The legislation that would make Michigan a "right-to-work" state was passed 22 to 16 in the Senate on Dec. 6, according to michiganvotes.org. The bill would prohibit unions from requiring workers to pay dues as a term of employment. It also includes a $1 million appropriation to make it "referendum-proof," michiganvotes.org reports. (Visit legislature.mi.gov to download the full bill.)
- Sen. Mike Kowall, R-White Lake, representing the 15th District including White Lake and Highland: Voted yes
House Bill 4003
The legislation that would extend right-to-work regulations to government and school employees passed 22 to 4 in the Senate on Dec. 6. It passed 63 to 46 in the House on June 8, 2011, according to michiganvotes.org. (Visit legislature.mi.gov to download the full bill.)
- Rep. Eileen Kowall, R-White Lake, representing the 44th District including White Lake and Highland: Voted yes
- Sen. Mike Kowall, R-White Lake, representing the 15th District including White Lake and Highland: Voted yes
