By Filibuster fails to derail bill banning payroll deductions
Montgomery, AL – The Alabama House has ended a 15-hour
round-the-clock filibuster and passed a bill that would cut off the
main source of funds for the Alabama Education Association and
other groups representing public employees in the state.
The House passed the bill from Gov. Bob Riley's ethics package
52-49 at 2:45 a.m. Wednesday.
It stops public employees from using payroll deductions to pay
dues and give political contributions to groups that represent
them. Opponents said states that have passed similar laws have seen
membership rolls drop because fewer people will write checks to the
organizations.
The bill now goes to the Senate, which passed a similar bill on
Friday. The two chambers must agree on the same version for the
bill to become law.