Court: PAC Money Can Be Deducted From Paychecks
A majority of the Michigan Supreme Court says it's legal for school districts to deduct political action committee contributions from the paychecks of employees.
The court ruled 4-3 in favor of the Michigan Education Association, in an opinion released Wednesday.
The decision reverses an appeals court ruling saying it's illegal for public schools to help the political fund of the state's largest teachers union, even if districts are reimbursed for administering the payroll deduction.
The case started in 2006 when Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land said Michigan law bars a public body from collecting and transferring political contributions. Her opinion involved the Gull Lake school district.
The court's liberal majority ruled in favor of the union while conservatives dissented.
The court returns to conservative control in 2011.
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