It can't happen here: Republican introduces Right to Scab provision.

[Brickbat]

State Representative, Steve Drazkowski, (R) Mazeppa, introduced the bill this week at the state Capitol. His bill would give employees the option of joining a union and the power to reject paying union dues. The so-called right-to-work legislation would affect some 400-thousand union workers across the state.

http://kstp.com/news/stories/s1924660.shtml?cat=1

This is not the Minnesota I love. I have a bad feeling about this.

[FiveGoodMen]

1. Right to be a slave. Right to be fired without cause.

Right to work my ass.

Never thought my state would come to this.

[Angry Dragon]

2. Not good

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. The Republican plan to turn Minnesota into a cold Alabama continues.

Pawlenty got the ball rolling, but I guess it's not over yet.

[Brickbat]

4. I do take some comfort that this guy is from a nowhere district.

I hope we can deflate this little weather balloon.

[CatholicEdHead]

5. I am sure they have wanted this for a long time

They just have a chance now with GOP control of both houses. Remember it has to get past Dayton.

[Brickbat]

7. It does not have to go past Dayton, as I understand it.

If both the House and Senate pass it, it will go to a public vote, because it requires a change in the constitution.

[dflprincess]

8. Oh I really hope you're wrong about that & it has to get past Dayton

This explanation of what "a bill" is may indicates that a Constitutional amendment is handled like any other piece of legislation - which would seem to mean the governor has to either sign it or veto it.

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/leg/faqtoc.asp?subject=2

What is a bill?

A bill is a proposal for a new law, a change in current law, repeal of a current law, or for a constitutional amendment.

The information at the link goes on to describe the whole "how a bill becomes law" process.

I couldn't find anything at the legislature's sites or at the Secretary of State's website that said an amendment does not need the governor's signature. (Of course, just because I didn't find it, doesn't mean it isn't out there.)

[ISUGRADIA]

9. No Governor Veto on Con Amendments

See MN Constitution:

ARTICLE IX


Section 1. Amendments; ratification. A majority of the members elected to each house of the legislature may propose amendments to this constitution. Proposed amendments shall be published with the laws passed at the same session and submitted to the people for their approval or rejection at a general election. If a majority of all the electors voting at the election vote to ratify an amendment, it becomes a part of this constitution. If two or more amendments are submitted at the same time, voters shall vote for or against each separately.

Sec. 2. Constitutional convention. Two-thirds of the members elected to each house of the legislature may submit to the electors at the next general election the question of calling a convention to revise this constitution. If a majority of all the electors voting at the election vote for a convention, the legislature at its next session, shall provide by law for calling the convention. The convention shall consist of as many delegates as there are members of the house of representatives. Delegates shall be chosen in the same manner as members of the house of representatives and shall meet within three months after their election. Section 5 of Article IV of the constitution does not apply to election to the convention.

Sec. 3. Submission to people of constitution drafted at convention. A convention called to revise this constitution shall submit any revision to the people for approval or rejection at the next general election held not less than 90 days after submission of the revision. If three-fifths of all the electors voting on the question vote to ratify the revision, it becomes a new constitution of the state of Minnesota.

[Brickbat]

10. From the SOS website:

Since 1898, the Minnesota Constitution has required that a constitutional amendment be approved by a simple majority of both chambers of the legislature at one session, and then ratified by “a majority of all the electors voting at the election,” whether or not the voter casts a “yes” or “no” vote on a proposed amendment. (Article IX, Section 1 of the Constitution of Minnesota).

[dflprincess]

11. Thanks ISUGRADIA & Brickbat

I did find the sections you both sited but was thrown off by the legislative site lumping amendments in with the description of how bills work their way through the system and never making any exceptions about needing the governor's signature.

[annm4peace]

6. Watch the newspapers and Radio and tv to promote this propaganda

you must be verbal and you must speak out about this bill and it will end unions and those who fight for workers rights.