AUGUSTA – Rep. Lawrence Lockman (R-Amherst) joined the George Hale and Ric Tyler show Friday morning to discuss a bill he has introduced that would give state workers the freedom to choose whether to join the Maine State Employee Association (MSEA).
“It’s a corrupt money laundering scheme that funnels $750,000 per year into the coffers of the union,” said Lockman.
Listen to Lockman’s GHRT interview here:
Lockman said that under the Baldacci administration, the Legislature passed a law requiring the state to collect dues and agency fees on behalf of the MSEA – the state’s public sector employees union. The move turned the state government into a collections agent for the union and forced non-member state workers to pay fees even if they disagreed with the unions activities.
Rep. Terry Hayes (D-Buckfield) has co-sponsored the proposal.
“I’m impressed with the political courage she has shown,” Lockman said of his Democratic colleague.
The hearing for Lockman’s bill will take place at 9:30AM in Room 208 of the Cross Office Building. Turn out is expected to be high as the unions typically bus in throngs of supporters to encourage lawmakers to vote the union line.
