Right to work just passed the Michigan House by a vote of 58-52. Very proud of my home state right now.
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Kelly William Cobb (@kellywcobb) December 06, 2012As Twitchy reported earlier, the Michigan state legislature is debating a proposed right-to-work bill. Proponents of the bill just grew one step closer to seeing their goal realized, as the state House has just passed it, 58 to 52.
FREEDOM wins. Big Labor loses. Great news! RT @katyabram MI State House has officially passed the Right to Work bill! #Onward #MIRTW—
Michelle Malkin (@michellemalkin) December 06, 2012
Miracles happen RT:“@sunnyright: WOW: Right-to-work just passed Michigan House 58-52.”—
Justen Charters (@JustenCharters) December 06, 2012
Hells to the yeah! RT @Dan__Anderson The Michigan House of Representatives just passed #RightToWork. #tcot—
Josh Withrow (@JGWithrow) December 06, 2012
Yes! RT @nikkibama: !! RT @FTR__Radio: Michigan passes RIGHT to WORK in the House 58 to 52. Next on to the Senate—
Young Republicans (@yrnf) December 06, 2012
This is excellent news for our region! RT @wearemodeshift: Michigan House passes RTA bill! bit.ly/RFdqQU—
Joan Witte (@jlwitte) December 06, 2012
Yay! RT @sunnyright: Michigan Senate, which is 26-12 controlled by Republicans, is expected to pass RTW as well. Then Gov Snyder will sign.—
Corie Whalen (@CorieWhalen) December 06, 2012
If the bill is passed by the Michigan Senate, union members will no longer be forced to pay dues.
Wait. MICHIGAN just became a right-to-work state?—
RB (@RBPundit) December 06, 2012
Not quite yet, but with any luck, Michigan will soon become our 24th right-to-work state!
@jack_enright Yes, Michigan is undoubtedly the state that needs Right to Work the most, which is why this is so exciting.—
Corie Whalen (@CorieWhalen) December 06, 2012
Twitchy will continue to monitor this story and update with further developments.
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Update:
Michigan House Democrats are not pleased with the proceedings:
Democratic lawmakers walk out of #Michigan State Chambers and are now encouraging chaos http://t.co/tjCAWt3w—
Nick Hawatmeh (@NicolaHawatmeh) December 06, 2012
Rep. Keith Ellison, who characterized Mitt Romney as a “heartless douchebag,” is disgusted that Michigan citizens might have the right to work inflicted upon them.
Truly disgusted and alarmed by MI GOP move to inflict right to work for less on workers. Tune in ppl.—
Rep. Keith Ellison (@keithellison) December 06, 2012
And, right on cue, union protesters are doing what they do best:
@michellemalkin Inside the packed #MI Capitol and union protesters are attempting to disrupt Senate proceedings #RighttoWork #Michigan #tcot—
Nick Hawatmeh (@NicolaHawatmeh) December 06, 2012
MI Senate done with amendments and moving on the RTW bill. Gallery goons losing it as Sergeants toss another screamer out #rtw #mirtw #nfib—
Charles Owens (@OwensNFIB) December 06, 2012
In Chamber-Senator Coleman Young threatens @briancalley that he better be "prepared to engage for the fight of your life" @michellemalkin—
Nick Hawatmeh (@NicolaHawatmeh) December 06, 2012
In Senate Chamber @briancalley exercising restraint as protestors shout insults & threats in gallery @michellemalkin http://t.co/163ojv55—
Nick Hawatmeh (@NicolaHawatmeh) December 06, 2012
Let’s hope the Senate will stand up for what’s right and show these thugs that their intimidation tactics won’t work.
If MI becomes a right to work state, we can go #rtw the entire Midwest. Can actually become competitive there. #MIRTW #tcot #miracle—
Yatish Parmar (@yatishparmar023) December 06, 2012
***
Surprise! The thug in chief has condemned the proposed legislation:
A spokesman for President Obama reiterates his opposition to "Right to Work" laws—
David Shepardson (@davidshepardson) December 06, 2012
BREAKING: Obama comes out against Michigan's "right to work" legislation huff.to/XvXstY—
Sam Stein (@samsteinhp) December 06, 2012
The White House released the following statement:
President Obama has long opposed so-called “right to work” laws and he continues to oppose them now. The president believes our economy is stronger when workers get good wages and good benefits, and he opposes attempts to roll back their rights. Michigan — and its workers’ role in the revival of the U.S. automobile industry — is a prime example of how unions have helped build a strong middle class and a strong American economy.
Of course he doesn’t like it. Giving workers the freedom to refrain from paying union dues means he takes a hit in fundraising. Poor guy.
* * *
It seems that Sen. Bert Johnson is reading from Wikipedia to delay a vote in the Senate.
Democrats appearing to filibuster as Senator Johnson-Detroit has been rambling for over 55 minutes. @LSJNews @michellemalkin #RTWmi—
Nick Hawatmeh (@NicolaHawatmeh) December 07, 2012
The Document @bertjohnson was reading was from @wikipedia word for word. #filibuster #RTWmi—
Nick Hawatmeh (@NicolaHawatmeh) December 07, 2012
* * *
After an hour or so of Wikipedia recitation, the Senate has voted to pass the bill 22 to 16.
Senate passes #righttowork 22-16. Four GOP join all Dems opposing. Gallery chanting "Shame on you."—
Kathy Gray (@michpoligal) December 07, 2012
Senate passes #RTWmi 22-16!!!!!! Freedom in the workplace is arriving! #TCOT #MITCOT #freedomtowork—
Nick Hawatmeh (@NicolaHawatmeh) December 07, 2012
Senate also passes public sector #righttowork bill by a 22-4 vote. Dems walk out of chamber before vote.—
Kathy Gray (@michpoligal) December 07, 2012
Sen. Colbeck on #righttowork: "Quite simply, it's about freedom. This is a great day for Michigan families."—
Kathy Gray (@michpoligal) December 07, 2012
***
Update:
Union supporters have responded to the bill’s passage by attacking Michigan legislators. Classy.