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State Sen. Patrick Colbeck, (R-Mich.), on efforts to boost job growth in the state.
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You -- well it's incredibly ironic that at the same time the national political scene is getting more liberal with the reelection of President Obama.
Politics at the state level is more conservative than ever now Michigan.
The home and birthplace of the United Auto Workers is about to become the 24 state to -- right to work laws.
For private and public workers and unions of course bitterly upholds.
Michigan governor Rick Snyder is expected to sign the bills on Tuesday.
I -- this is solving the issue for Michigan workers they have hardworking people understand this is -- giving workers choice.
So what does all this mean for the worker is for businesses and for the unions joining us now is Michigan State senator.
Patrick call back senator thanks for coming in appreciate it first of all let's let's just say what right to workers are not a right to work laws are not they are not.
About outlawing unions a lot of union workers have said.
He's right to work laws would out what they're they're only about not forcing people to -- the unions if people don't want to.
Right that's exactly -- collective bargaining still stays in place while we're talking about has given workers a choice whether or not.
They want -- financially.
-- union via their union dues so why do you think these bills are necessary.
Tom well -- -- for me we looked at the state of Michigan we're the only state in the nation that lost population the last sense -- south.
I went off and in analysis and chart looking at -- whereas everybody yelling and Tom when you look at the census stand by an almost three to one margin they're going to -- to work -- And so that was -- pretty compelling argument then when Indiana pass their right to work while we look debt.
Whether or not there is direct causality between what -- -- right to work and their creation of jobs and Indiana within the first six months -- -- a right to work legislation.
-- seventy foreign -- or expansion existing projects in the state leading to thousands of jobs and and millions of dollars an investment well and and it is in fact that.
True for the whole country unemployment.
It's always lower in those states that have right to work laws we've we've done national surveys and it's true by about a full percentage point -- -- Right well for at the top seven in regards unemployment rates in the country are all -- right to work states are right so.
Neighboring Illinois Illinois just across the white from -- Illinois is going pretty much in the opposite direction in terms of raising taxes and giving unions more power.
Do you think and are you actively trying to pursue businesses that are in Illinois did Robin Michigan once -- bills once these bills are passed.
Well are the reasons why not shows like this is to make sure that we let everybody know that Michigan has open for business.
So if it's coming from Illinois and you -- com frankly wherever we can find businesses blowing in in invest and a in a state that's really making sure that we've got a good environment for the and the provide jobs first -- -- -- I don't care they're coming from Illinois from my California effort Timbuktu we'd like -- -- those jobs here in the state of Michigan now.
Recently the unions have been on a lot of losing tickets not necessarily the presidential ticket because of course they want to reelection the president.
But on these local bills about about union issues they've been -- they certainly lost in the attempt to prevent.
Governor Walker in Wisconsin.
For being affirmed in his writers governor so.
How much have they been spending in Michigan to try to defeat these bills injured favour.
I think the tally with up around 2530.
Million dollars on our proposal to ballot.
Initiative that was in -- last general election and have they -- with with the spending of all that money have they made any headway at all in convincing the public that their right.
Now and matter of fact we've got a lot of polling data that shows very strong support for giving workers the choice whether or not they should financially -- -- union -- not.
-- and is fun emphasizes actually did for union members typically yeah.
There they have a right that's been denied to them since 1935.
Which is whether or not they -- -- choice in regards to those union payments up.
This is actually something that's really good for the rank and file because they can hold their union and management accountable for what they're looking for.
I think one of the things that turn off a lot of Wisconsin voters are the tactics that the unions were they there were kind of beliefs try to bully there.
Their position through to have -- been doing the same in Michigan.
To a lesser extent I've actually had a lot of nice conversations with rank and file members.
Either -- my district or.
On the -- over the last few days syrup and Michigan.
And in general they've they've been fairly reasonable belief.
So -- -- we're expecting a few out of towners they come in for our.
For next week but you know we got to where we -- to advertise -- Michigan so -- welcome.
Senator very quickly very quickly good governor Rick Snyder it initially he was against says it has at least one of these bills he called into -- -- divisive.
What changed his mind.
Well I think it I can't speak for the governor and that -- -- but I know the governor is a big proponent thing you can do bring jobs into the states.
And I think winners -- than -- compelling evidence around that especially in the wake of what's been happening Indiana it would have been difficult firm that they continue on.
And -- unity drilling.
Support of a game warm better jobs and our state and and it's a major step forward that our parents by the -- were to word hopefully gonna get him on next week after -- he's bills as he's expected to do.
State senator Patrick call back good to see -- sir thanks for coming in appreciate it -- thank you very much immigrant day thank you say DO good weekend to war.
