Retribution time for GOP in the cards
A union-backed drive in Congress to simplify the process of certifying the installation of unions has been thrown into reverse by the GOP.

Led by the AFL-CIO, a bill introduced by Democrats would ease the way for unions to become certified as bargaining agents for a group of workers. The bill would allow the use of only a "card check" procedure during an organizing effort, which allows the formation of a union if a majority of workers show their support for a union simply by signing a card.

Currently, a card check system allows potential unions and willing employers to circumvent the delay-ridden certification process by the National Labor Relations Board. If employers don't recognize the card-check system, they can insist on an NLRB election process, which can take years and give employers time to sway workers' opinions.

Now comes the retribution by Republicans. According to the Construction Labor Report, a coalition of business groups, including the anti-union Associated Builders and Contractors, is lobbying to push a bill sponsored by a Georgia Republican congressman, which would require unions to conduct secret ballot elections in organizing drives and during collective bargaining.

House Republican leaders "have shown interest" in the bill, the Construction Labor Report said.

More road money for Michigan - maybe
Michigan stands to receive a 28 percent increase in federal highway construction funding after action by the U.S. Senate on May 10, but approval by the House and White House are hardly a sure thing.

Our state would receive a total of $5.6 billion in federal money over five years - if the House and Senate can come to terms on the financing, and if President Bush changes his mind and agrees to spend $295 billion on the entire package - $11 billion more than the ceiling he imposed in the past.

If the Senate's version is adopted, Michigan would get a 92-cent return on every transportation tax dollar sent to Washington, compared to the current 90.5 cents. This is the latest legislative action in a 20-month long battle in Congress to settle on a dollar amount for U.S. road and bridge spending.

"This year's legislation," said Michigan Sen. Carl Levin, "would give donor states just 92 percent of their Highway Trust Fund contributions by 2009. Although that is a small step in the right direction of closing the equity gap, we still have a long way to go to achieve fairness for Michigan and other donor states.

"This bill is also a setback from last year's bill because it provides fewer overall transportation dollars. Last year, the Senate wisely passed a bill that would have pumped $318 billion into our transportation systems over 6 years.

"This year, the Senate has reduced that funding down to $295 billion. That is more than the House passed bill of $284 billion but still less than what is needed."