Kansas House approves bill on union pay deductions

TOPEKA — Kansas legislators today gave final approval to a bill barring public employee unions from deducting money from members’ paychecks to help finance political activities.

A 68-54 vote in the House sent the measure to Republican Gov. Sam Brownback, who’s expected to sign it. The Senate approved the measure last week.

Proponents argued the bill would protect members of public employee unions from having part of their pay funneled to candidates or causes they oppose. Supporters also said state and local government agencies processing payrolls shouldn’t be entangled in such transactions.

But critics see the measure as an attempt to hinder fundraising by public employee unions, which generally are strong supporters of Democrats.

Opponents also note that union members typically sign off on any deductions from their paychecks.