In a bill that targets union political activities, Rep. Mark Olson, R-Big Lake, has introduced 'paycheck deception' legislation in the Minnesota House.
Olson's bill (HF 1027) would require unions and other selected 'membership organizations' to keep track of and offer refunds to members for dues money spent on issues education, political contributions, lobbying and other political purposes. The bill has been referred to the House Governmental Operations committee, chaired by Rep. Jim Rhodes, R-St. Louis Park.
It is similar to legislation being considered in more than a half-dozen other states and similar to what President George W. Bush wants included in any federal campaign finance reform.
Brad Lehto, legislative director for the Minnesota AFL-CIO, says the requirements are similar to what unions now must do under federal Beck rules, but more burdensome.
For instance, Olson's bill includes not only extensive accounting rules, but requires unions to publicly report to the state ethical practices board the revenue they collect from payroll deductions and their political and educational expenditures.
'It would be an administrative nightmare,' Lehto said. 'The costs would be far and away more than the amount of refunds a union might have to issue.'
Lehto said the bill might also apply to some agricultural and sportsman's groups, 'but it was clear at the hearing that they were going after unions politically.'
This article was written for The Union Advocate newspaper. Used by permission. The Union Advocate is the official publication of the St. Paul Trades and Labor Assembly. E-mail The Advocate at: advocate@mtn.org
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In a bill that targets union political activities, Rep. Mark Olson, R-Big Lake, has introduced ‘paycheck deception’ legislation in the Minnesota House.
Olson’s bill (HF 1027) would require unions and other selected ‘membership organizations’ to keep track of and offer refunds to members for dues money spent on issues education, political contributions, lobbying and other political purposes. The bill has been referred to the House Governmental Operations committee, chaired by Rep. Jim Rhodes, R-St. Louis Park.
It is similar to legislation being considered in more than a half-dozen other states and similar to what President George W. Bush wants included in any federal campaign finance reform.
Brad Lehto, legislative director for the Minnesota AFL-CIO, says the requirements are similar to what unions now must do under federal Beck rules, but more burdensome.
For instance, Olson’s bill includes not only extensive accounting rules, but requires unions to publicly report to the state ethical practices board the revenue they collect from payroll deductions and their political and educational expenditures.
‘It would be an administrative nightmare,’ Lehto said. ‘The costs would be far and away more than the amount of refunds a union might have to issue.’
Lehto said the bill might also apply to some agricultural and sportsman’s groups, ‘but it was clear at the hearing that they were going after unions politically.’
This article was written for The Union Advocate newspaper. Used by permission. The Union Advocate is the official publication of the St. Paul Trades and Labor Assembly. E-mail The Advocate at: advocate@mtn.org