House Bill 2130, which limits the ability of working families to engage in political advocacy for a pro-working families agenda in Kansas, received first round approval on House General Orders this morning.
House Bill 2130 would prevent union members from using dues deductions for political education. Corporate PACs and other special interests could still use their dues or fees to influence political campaigns, but not UNION MEMBERS. This would effectively silence your voice in the democratic process.
HB 2130 is an outrageous attempt by legislators backed by these corporate special interests to strip you of your First Amendment rights simply because you joined a union.
Those speaking in favor of the bill this morning implied that working folks aren’t smart enough to follow how their Unions spend their money.
Sadly, most of the legislators who supported this bill did so because the haven’t heard from you! The time to act is now! HB 2130 will appear again in the House tomorrow on Final Action. Let’s make a statement that we do support a limited government — a limited government that stays out of the private decisions made between Unions and Union members. This action is an intrusion into our private association affairs and is political retribution for organized labors’ support for a working families agenda.
Let’s be clear, this bill does not limit how much private corporations like Koch Industries can spend to influence legislation and government here in Kansas. Instead, it is a direct attack on silencing the free speech of working families.
Members voting in favor in advancing HB 2130 to Final Action were:
Coincidentally, in the 2010 election cycle, these House Republicans received contributions from the political action committees they sought to limit today:
- Rep. Bob Brookens: Phone (785) 296-7636 E-Mail: bob.brookens@house.ks.gov
- Rep. Pat Colloton: Phone: (785) 296-7631 E-Mail: pat.colloton@house.ks.gov
- Rep. Don Hill: Phone: (785) 296-7632 E-Mail: don.hill@house.ks.gov
- Rep. Don Hineman: Phone (785) 296-7636 E-Mail: don.hineman@house.ks.gov
- Rep. Tom Moxley: (785) 296-7698 E-Mail: tom.moxley@house.ks.gov
- Rep. Bill Otto: (785) 296-7656 E-Mail: bill.otto@house.ks.gov
- Rep. JoAnn Pottorff: Phone: (785) 296-7501 E-Mail: joann.pottorff@house.ks.gov
- Rep. Richard Proehl: Phone: (785) 296-7639 E-Mail: richard.proehl@house.ks.gov
- Rep. Charles Roth: Phone: (785) 296-7689 E-Mail: charles.roth@house.ks.gov
- Rep. Sheryl Spalding: Phone: (785) 296-7649 E-Mail: sheryl.spalding@house.ks.gov
- Rep. Vern Swanson: Phone: (785) 296-7642 E-Mail: vern.swanson@house.ks.gov
- Rep. Ron Worley: Phone: (785) 296-7649 E-Mail: ron.worley@house.ks.gov
Contact these state representatives and urge them to OPPOSE HB 2130 on Final Action on Thursday, February 24, 2011. The following members have said they must hear from you, so make it happen — contact one or all of these members and tell them to oppose HB 2130 on Thursday morning. Also, join us at the Capitol (3rd Floor) at 8:00 am to tell these legislators our opinions before the House convenes at 9 am!
