CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The House of Delegates will consider changes to the paycheck protection bill that passed the state Senate earlier this session.
The bill (SB 239), which would allow workers to annually authorize paycheck deductions and limit the use of what dues can be used for, was up for a public hearing in the House Thursday morning—it has already been approved by the House Judiciary Committee.
A number of interested parties spoke for and against the bill during Thursday’s hearing.
“Senate Bill 239 is simply an intrusion of government into the pockets of employees hindering an employee’s ability to freely associate and to make choices where their paychecks go,” West Virginia Education Association Dale Lee said.
But Jason Huffman, the state director of the West Virginia chapter of the group Americans for Prosperity, testified some employees take money without a worker’s consent.
“This practice is absolutely unacceptable because it undermines West Virginians’ free speech and it takes money away from their paychecks,” Huffman said.
In a rare move, the public hearing was scheduled by the House Judiciary Committee after the bill has already been approved by the committee. The bill is expected to be on the House special calendar by Friday.