In April, I testified before the Missouri Legislature about the importance of reaffirming the free speech rights of government employees. Senate Bill 29, which changes how union dues are collected and are used for political purposes, just passed the Missouri House with an 85-69 vote. The legislation’s next stop is the governor’s desk.
Currently, Missouri requires public union employees to opt-out of having dues money removed from their paychecks that could be used for political objectives with which the employee may disagree. Under the reform, union members would presumptively keep those dollars unless they opt-in to paying for the union’s political activities. That is a better system that supports employees’ free speech rights.
I am glad to see it get through the legislature, and I look forward to seeing whether the governor agrees that union members’ money is their money first, not the union’s. Kudos, Missouri Legislature.
