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One to Keep An Eye On: Senate Bill 13 (Texas)


As with many employment & labor law related cases (and bills) being litigated around the country, there are always a few that stand out.  This is one to keep an eye on.


Late last week, it was announced that Senate Bill 13 would go before the full Texas Senate for further debate.  The bill, which would bar voluntary payroll deductions of union dues from state employee paychecks, cleared the Senate Affairs Committee by a 6 - 2 vote.  

Perhaps unsurprisingly, labor groups oppose this bill as an attack on unions which would lower membership to union organizations.  The president of the Amarillo Association of Texas Professional Educators has argued that allowing automatic payroll deductions are an easy way for members of a union to pay their dues.  Given that Republicans control the Texas Legislature, it might be assumed that this bill would sail through.  However, that is not necessarily the case.  A similar bill failed to pass the last legislative session (when Republicans also controlled the Legislature) and some Republicans have even expressed skepticism about this bill.  Interesting to see how this one plays out.


 

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