(PA) House panel approves union-related bills on straight party-line vote

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Post-Gazette

By Kate Giammarise

HARRISBURG — A state House committee passed a pair of bills Tuesday that Republicans say are aimed at increased government transparency, but Democrats say they are anti-union and aimed at undermining the powers of a newly elected Democratic governor.

The legislation would require the state Independent Fiscal Office to analyze the cost of any collective bargaining agreement proposed for workers under the governor’s jurisdiction. The other bill would require public employers to post proposed collective bargaining agreements online at least two weeks before the signing of the contracts.

The proposals passed out of committee on a party-line vote, with Republicans supporting them and Democrats opposed.

“Taxpayers have a vested interest in the labor negotiations between public employers and their employees and deserve the right to review contract agreements,” Sen. Pat Stefano, R-Fayette, a sponsor of one of the bills, said in a memo seeking co-sponsors.

FULL story at link.


Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2015/06/24/House-panel-approves-union-related-bills-on-straight-party-line-vote/stories/201506240049

[BumRushDaShow]

1. If Wolf vetoes

the state Senate does not have enough to override, assuming they continue to vote along party lines (and Dems hold).