Appeals court rejects challenge to labor laws

LANSING (AP) -- The Michigan Court of Appeals has sided with House Republicans in a procedural dispute with minority Democrats over when two pieces of labor legislation take effect. On March 30, an Ingham County judge issued the order aimed at ensuring Republicans follow certain procedures when granting what is called "immediate effect" to bills approved by lawmakers. That status determines how quickly a new law kicks in once signed by the governor. The state Court of Appeals froze the decision in April, then issued an order last Thursday reversing the lower court's decision. The appeals court ruling affects Republican-passed measures to ban unionization of graduate student research assistants at public universities, and to ban public schools from deducting union dues from employee paychecks. Published: Mon, Aug 20, 2012