The Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) delivered the letter below to all Republican Senators this morning from the members urging them to vote “Yes” on SB 830, a bill that prohibits any union from automatically deducting dues from employee wages for purposes of political activity and requiring union leadership to obtain permission from individual members before using union dues for partisan political purposes. The text of the letter is below.
April 14, 2011
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Florida Senate Majority Office
404 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1100
Dear Republican Senators,
As Republicans, we all share a common belief that American citizens have the right to enjoy certain personal freedoms our country was founded on. We all have the basic rights to be a member of the political party of our choice, to vote for the leaders we believe will do what is right for our state, and to let our voices be heard when we do not agree with the job those elected officials are doing. Unfortunately, when you become a member of a union you are expected to waive those rights.
Today, union members pay their union dues only to have no say in what political party or candidate that money will support. They also have no right to speak up against how their dues are being used. This week, you have the ability to ensure union member’s basic rights are restored by voting yes on S.B. 830.
As you debate this bill, please keep in mind the abuse of union power and the obstruction of the American legislative system we recently saw in Wisconsin. Unions in that state were willing to shut down the government in order to maintain control over money used to support the political objectives of a few. Those who disagreed were kept silent in fear of retaliation. This legislative session, you will have the opportunity to stand up for the union workers and make it that much harder for the unions to hold our Government hostage.We commend the Florida House of Representatives for taking the first steps in restoring these rights to our state’s union workers, and we sign this letter as a show of support for you as you fight for the basic rights our country was founded on. As leaders of the Republican Party of Florida’s State Executive Committee, we strongly urge you to fight for the freedoms we believe in and to protect our legislative system by voting in favor of S.B. 830.
Thank you for your consideration,
Chairman David Bitner
