Pa. Senate Approves Restrictions On Public Union Paycheck Deductions

By Tony Romeo

HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) -- The state Senate has sent the House controversial legislation that backers say is intended to prevent unions representing government workers from collecting money for political purposes through payroll deductions.

During Senate debate on amendments to the union paycheck deduction legislation, the prime sponsor of the bill, Republican John Eichelberger, said it is just a matter of correcting a "loophole"…

"…by simply saying that government cannot collect political money through their payroll system. The unions could continue to collect their fair share portions because they have a role to play in working with the employees for negotiations."

Allegheny County Democrat Jay Costa, the Senate minority leader, says "I believe that what is being attempted here is a way to try to diminish the role of our labor organizations in our Commonwealth."

Voting along party lines, the Senate narrowly passed the bill and sent it to the House. Governor Wolf has said he does not favor the legislation.