Tennessee Senate Committee Takes a Stand on Protecting Teachers' Paychecks
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Senate Education Committee yesterday passed SB 281, which would eliminate the practice of automatically deducting union dues from teachers’ paychecks at taxpayers’ expense. The committee’s vote comes on the heels of a Tuesday vote by the Tennessee House K-12 Subcommittee to pass companion legislation, HB 329.
“The government should not be the bills collector for union dues,” said Workers for Opportunity Senior Policy Advisor Vincent Vernuccio, “especially when those unions are affiliated with national organizations that do not respect Tennessee taxpayers’ values.”
The Tennessee Education Association, the state’s largest teachers union, is an affiliate of the National Education Association. A portion of Tennessee teachers union dues funnels to the national organization, which has supported progressive political causes and candidates.
“Tennessee teachers deserve the freedom to decide for themselves where their hard-earned paychecks go,” Vernuccio said.
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