Governor Greg Abbott today announced that his call for legislation that prohibits both state and local governments from deducting union dues from public employees’ paychecks is generating growing support across Texas. Prohibiting the use of taxpayer dollars to fund the collection of union dues is part of the Governor’s 20-item agenda for the ongoing special legislative session.
“It is unconscionable that public entities would collect dues and PAC funds from their employees to fund unions that turn around and use that money to lobby the public entity and elect public servants. If unions cannot survive without public assistance, it is because the union is not adding value for its members. The practice of public entities collecting union dues must be stopped.” – Jon Fisher, President, Associated Builders and Contractors of Texas.
“We know that those funds are used to push policies that undermine job providers in Texas, and in some cases, used to fund campaigns against individual businesses. Our NFIB/Texas small business members are already at a disadvantage when it comes to burdensome regulations. We don’t need our government giving labor unions even more of a leg up. We applaud the Governor for standing up for small business and working to preserve the Texas business-friendly environment for all.” – Annie Spilman, Legislative Director, National Federation of Independent Business – Texas
“The state of Texas currently collects membership dues for private organizations such as labor unions. This is not an appropriate role of government and we are proud to stand alongside Governor Abbott to remove state government from this practice in the upcoming special session.” – Jerome Greener, State Director, Americans for Prosperity – TX
”Despite Texas being a Right to Work state, the Foundation’s research has identified numerous state policies that favor unions over workers, employers, and taxpayers – including allowing state and local governments to serve as dues collectors for unions. This is not the proper role of government and Texas should join with other states that have prohibited this and require unions make private arrangements with their members like most other organizations.” – Bill Peacock, Vice President of Research, Texas Public Policy Foundation