Appeals Court Rules Against State

None by Elizabeth Ziegler

Utah Public Employees will Continue to Make Political Contributions Through Payroll Deductions

(KCPW News) Last Week, unions representing Utah's public employees won a major victory in a 7-year battle with the state over political contributions. The 10^th Circuit Court of Appeals decision issued Thursday is the second ruling to uphold the state's public employees' right to contribute to Political Action Committees affiliated with their unions using payroll deductions.

The Voluntary Contribution Act of 2001 attempted to halt the practice of public employees making political contributions through payroll deductions. But the state's unions challenged the act, saying it violated workers' rights to free speech and political association.

 

The state is considering whether to appeal the decision. The attorney general's office can ask the 10^th Circuit Court of Appeals to reconsider, or submit the case for consideration before the Supreme Court. Until then, Utah's public employees will continue to use payroll deductions to make political contributions.

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