Right to Work Legislation Defeated
A News Release from Sen. McDougle:
Senate Democrats Defeat Right to Work Amendment
Richmond, January 28, 2009: Democrats on the Senate Privileges and Elections Committee yesterday defeated a proposed amendment to the Virginia Constitution that would have added Virginia’s right to work law to the state Constitution. The proposed amendment, sponsored by Sen. Ryan McDougle (R – Hanover) was defeated on a party-line 9-5 vote.
“Our right to work law is a credit to Virginia,” McDougle noted while presenting his bill. “It makes our business climate better than that of our surrounding states, allows businesses to flourish, and aids in the creation of new jobs. It is because of our right to work law that Virginia has been consistently recognized as the best state in the nation in which to do business.”
McDougle introduced the legislation, Senate Joint Resolution 347, in an effort to better protect Virginia’s right to work law against encroachment by the federal government. He expressed concern about proposed federal legislation that would make it easier for unions to organize in Virginia, particularly the unions’ impact on state and constitutional officer employees.
“The federal government should not be allowed to have authority over the operations of state offices,” McDougle stated. “Should the federal government attempt to undertake such changes, it will no doubt lead to litigation. The passage of this amendment would have provided courts deciding such cases with a clear direction as to where Virginia stands on the importance of the right to work law. It would provide Virginia stronger ground on which to stand in defending its right to work status.”
The joint resolution, supported by the whole Senate Republican Caucus, would have been the first step towards granting Constitutional protection to Virginia’s right to work law. To amend the Virginia Constitution, identical legislation must be passed during two separate General Assembly sessions with an election in between. It must then pass a statewide voter referendum. McDougle noted this fact in arguing that it is worthwhile to keep this possibility alive until the direction of federal legislation becomes more clear.
“We must take this calculated risk,” McDougle noted in his testimony before the vote was taken. “If it turns out not to be necessary, we will not go further in the process. However, if we do not act now, we will not be able to institute this amendment until 2012 at the earliest. We must act now and act decisively on this important issue.”
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