State Sen. Rocca, Rep. Forlini Break GOP Ranks, Vote Against Right-to-Work Bill

Clinton Township's Republican representatives in the state House and Senate broke ranks with their GOP brethren Thursday, voting against right-to-work legislation now on the fast track to Gov. Rick Snyder’s desk.

Within hours of Snyder’s Dec. 6 call for a "workplace fairness and equity" bill, also called right to work, legislators began voting on House Bill 4054, Senate Bill 116 and House Bill 4003.

The bills now move to the chamber opposite from where they originated and could be passed as early as Tuesday, at which point Snyder said he would sign the chosen version into law, making Michigan the 24th right-to-work state.

The approved bill is slated to prohibit unions from collecting fees from nonunion workers, which opponents say would weaken organized labor’s ability to bargain for good wages while supporters say it would boost jobs.

Although this legislation would cover both the public and private sectors, there would be an exception for police and firefighters.

While Bill 4054 passed the House by a 58-52 vote Thursday, six Republicans opposed the measure, including Clinton Township Rep. Anthony Forlini (R-District 24). All House Democrats also cast “no” votes.

In the Senate, Clinton Township's Republican Sen. Tory Rocca cast "no" votes on both Senate Bill 116 and House Bill 4003.

For Rocca, it was a matter of timing that lead him to oppose the bills.

“The fact that we were only given the bills to read literally minutes before we started voting … I always object to that procedure,” Rocca said. “I believe we should always be given the bills to read well in advance.”

Rocca also took issue with the fact that the public was not given the opportunity to weigh in on the bills prior to voting. 

“Normally, we have hearings on legislation. That didn’t happen either. The public was not allowed to testify on the legislation. It gets hard for me to support something we’re not allowed to read.”

When asked if he would vote "no" a second time upon the legislation's return to the Senate – possibly as early as Tuesday – Rocca said he would "need to see what form it takes."

“We don’t vote on abstract concepts,” he added. “When we vote on bills, we’re voting on the placing of specific words into law. If I don’t get a chance to read them, then it’s not plausible to vote.”

Rep. Forlini, who voted against the legislation proposed in the House, said he does not believe right-to-work is an issue that should be decided by legislators.

“It’s a divisive issue,” he said. “I’m not saying right-to-work doesn’t have merit, but I feel it would have been better as a ballot initiative. It shouldn’t be a Republican or Democratic issue just because one party or the other is in leadership. There are so many things to do in Lansing, it’s unfortunate this is pushing others aside.”

Clinton Township's Democratic Rep. Marilyn Lane (District 31) voted with her party against right-to-work.