LANSING - There always seem to be a state lawmaker or two willing to make the perennial push to make Michigan a right-to-work state.

The Michigan AFL-CIO reports that state representatives Robert Gosselin (R- Troy) and Leon Drolet (R-Clinton Twp.) have introduced a two-bill legislative package that do just that. Gosselin's bill, HB 5771 would impact public employees. Drolet's bill, HB 5772, would hit private sector workers. The right-to-work bills have been referred to the Commerce Committee.

Right-to-work and anti-prevailing wage legislation pop up every now and then in Lansing, but organized labor has always had sufficient influence to knock them down - even when Republican John Engler was in the governor's position and the GOP controlled both houses of state government.

In right-to-work states - there are 22 of them - workers are allowed to opt out of paying dues to their union, but still receive the workplace benefits the union provides. Historically, union influence erodes quickly after right-to-work laws are adopted.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm has consistently vowed to be a "backstop" for organized labor, and would veto any right-to-work legislation that hits her desk. However, the Michigan AFL-CIO points out that Republican gubernatorial candidate Dick DeVos and his wife Betsy "are already on record as believing that Michigan workers make too much money and support making Michigan a right-to-work state."