Michigan House passes right-to-work legislation after Democrats walk out to protest closed Capitol

[cal04]

Last edited Thu Dec 6, 2012, 07:29 PM - Edit history (1)

Michigan House Passes ‘Right-To-Work’ Bill
http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/michigan-house-passes-right-to-work-bill

Michigan's House of Representatives passed controversial "right-to-work" legislation on Thursday by a margin of 58-52, the Detroit Free Press reports.

Earlier, Capitol police pepper-sprayed and arrested several protesters gathered to demonstrate against the bill.


Michigan House passes right-to-work legislation after Democrats walk out to protest closed Capitol
http://www.freep.com/article/20121206/NEWS06/121206088/deomcrats-michigan-house-walk-off-vote-right-to-work-republicans?odyssey=tab

The Michigan House passed controversial right-to-work legislation this afternoon, after House Democrats walked off the chamber floor to protest the Capitol not being opened to the public.

(snip)
Earlier, Democrats retreated to their caucus room and the hallway behind the chamber. Sergeants of the chamber would not allow reporters to follow or approach them.

After about 10 minutes, several Democrats returned to the chamber to grab their coats, purses, bags and other belongings before they departed again.

(snip)
"You're doing this in lame duck because you know next session, you won't have the votes," said state Rep. Brandon Dillon, D-Grand Rapids. "This is an outrage."


Mich. lawmakers push right-to-work legislation; police pepper-spray protesters inside Capitol
Republicans rushed right-to-work legislation through the Michigan Legislature Thursday, drawing raucous protests from hundreds of union supporters, some of whom were pepper-sprayed by police when they tried to storm the Senate chamber.

(snip)
Lt. Gov. Brian Calley repeatedly gaveled for order as Democratic senators denounced the legislation to applause from protesters in the galley. At one point, a man shouted, “Heil Hitler! Heil Hitler! That’s what you people are.” He was quickly escorted out. Another later yelled, “We will remember in November.”

Eight people were arrested for resisting and obstructing when they tried to push past two troopers guarding the Senate door, state police Inspector Gene Adamczyk said.

The Capitol, which was temporarily closed because of safety concerns, reopened Thursday afternoon, sending hundreds of protesters streaming back inside with chants of, “Whose house? Our house!” Adamczyk said a judge ordered the building reopened.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/gov-snyder-gop-leaders-say-theyll-push-for-enactment-of-right-to-work-law-in-michigan/2012/12/06/90bbca0c-3fcd-11e2-8a5c-473797be602c_story.html

(Michael Moore:If you thought the election might have made the Republican party less crazy, think again. The fact they'll try this in Michigan of all places shows they're as determined as ever to turn back the clock to 1890)
http://www.facebook.com/mmflint

[erinlough]

1. Ive been watching online, writing and calling....

most disgraceful exhibition of antidemocratic Republican bullies ever. People who were there to protest were locked out of our own capital until Democrats got a restraining order forcing the Repubs to unlock the capital, even then they refused. The Dems walked out until the people were let in.

I will tell you all this is what happens when you get a republican senate, house, and governor. This is a travesty. Not the legislation as much as how it was done.

[MichiganVote]

3. This legislation in the State of Michigan is complete slap in the face

It IS a travesty. It IS a republican travesty. This is Michigan. We believe in good hard work and good hard workers deserve unions to deliver collective bargaining.

[FightForMichigan]

2. Sad, sad day

I've been watching it unfold blow by blow, and I'm sick and saddened for my state.

[catbyte]

5. As a proud member of a public union in MI for over 30 years, this makes me

physically sick. My state is gone. Democracy is dead. Unions are dead. Evil has won.

We are all Wallmart employees now. The damage Republicans have done to my beloved Michigan is devastating.

[Union Scribe]

6. +1

They've slapped in the face everything we and our predecessors strived for. I feel like I swallowed a peach pit or something. I heard (I haven't seen it confirmed) that there's something in there that prevents overturning it by referendum. Dunno if it's true, wouldn't surprise me.

[FightForMichigan]

7. Correct

They attached it to an appropriations bill, which makes it referendum-proof.

What happened today was at best vile, but more likely just evil.

[Union Scribe]

8. Ah that was it. Thanks. nt

[LeftInTX]

4. Depressing