Oops: Michigan Republicans Have Passed a Right to Work Law that may be Impossible to Implement

[The Straight Story]

Did Michigan Republicans even read the ALEC-Koch “Right-to-Work” legislation they just passed?

It doesn’t appear likely. Why? Because the law may not be able to be implemented as intended.

Just as the Wisconsin law violated their state constitution, so it appears the Michigan law does the same, albeit for different reasons. In addition to the violation of the state constitution, just as in Wisconsin, we also have a lawsuit filed over the violation of the Michigan Open Meetings law. But to the constitutional issue…

Michigan Senate Democrats report, “The Michigan Constitution gives clear authority to the Civil Service Commission over conditions of employment for the state’s workforce. Experts have suggested today only a vote of the Civil Service Commission could enact Right to Work policies for state workers.”

Oopsie.

This is the sort of thing that happens when a national organization is writing your legislation for you. But one assumes that the big boys at ALEC did not count on the uber laziness of the Republicans. Surely they were meant to fine tune the bill to suit their state. But then, when you shove a bill through in a lameduck session and don’t hold it open for debate, these things tend to happen.

http://www.politicususa.com/oops-michigan-republicans-passed-work-law-unimplementable.html

[GiaGiovanni]

1. Here's hoping

I hope this is the basis of the undoing of this horrible law.

[bigtree]

2. wow

sounds very likely and promising

[FarCenter]

3. The law still applies to private sector workers

It just may not apply to the 35,000 state employees.

Employees of school districts or municipalities? Who knows?

[deutsey]

4. Here's hoping

[Loki]

5. They may be the most underhanded and unethical

group we have seen in a long time but they certainly aren't very smart. They are sinking into the mire of stupid that they have created and it is what they deserve.

[ancianita]

6. Now that there is what I call a loophole. For once, workers get to exploit it.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

7. I've said it before and I'll say it again...

....Republicans are fucking STUPID.

[riverbendviewgal]

8. oopsie is right

K & R

[loyalkydem]

9. If this backfires on them

I'm laughing all the way to 2014

[Cha]

10. Oh, that would too rich! Thanks for bringing this

story over from politicusUSA, Straight! This Looks Really Hopeful!

[Cha]

11. Especially since the same thing happen in Wisconsin!

The same law that Governor Walker passed in violation of Open Meetings laws and in violation of the state constitution was struck down by the courts in September. The millions wasted on passing legislation illegally and fighting it in courts speaks to the seriousness of Republicans when they talk about deficits. There’s always money to enact a political agenda aimed at the opposition party, but there’s no money for starving kids.

[brentspeak]

12. But that doesn't apply to private industry workers

They're still going to be affected by this.