DC COPE Report: Rand Paul Scuttles DC Budget Bill with "Right to Work" Amendment
Thursday, June 28, 2012
(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) derailed the DC Budget Autonomy Act yesterday when he
launched what DC Vote called “a full-scale assault on DC Home Rule.” In
addition to controversial amendments regarding guns and abortions, Rand proposed
extending anti-labor “right to work” laws to the District with an amendment
providing that “membership in a labor organization may not be applied as a
precondition for employment” in the District. “Labor must be prepared to
stand our ground everywhere,” said Metro Council President Jos Williams
“They’re coming after us, even in D.C. and we would rather see the bill
killed than accept any of the amendments.” DC Vote Director Ilir Zherka said
the advocacy group was “deeply offended” by Senator Paul’s move. The
Budget Autonomy Act, which enjoys strong support from Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton
(D-D.C.) and other local officials, would let the city spend its own money once
the mayor and D.C. Council have agreed on a budget without waiting for Congress
to grant approval. Scheduled to be marked-up on Wednesday, the bill was pulled
after negotiations between Democrats and Sen. Paul’s office failed to produce
any agreement on his proposed amendments. -
image from DC Vote's petition for
budget autonomy