Senate Republicans are complaining that Governor Bob Holden’s executive order giving state employees the right to unionize was a backroom deal written by union lawyers. Senator Larry Rohrbach of California says a Sunshine Law request shows Holden had a deal with the unions in December and chose to keep it secret until after the Legislature wrapped up its work. Rohrbach rejects suggestions this is just a move aimed at embarrassing the Governor. He claims $4-million will be taken out of state workers’ paychecks for union dues and that concerns him. Governor Holden is defending his actions, saying it was a decision he made for the working people of Missouri. He denies the unions drafted the executive order.
