It's legislation that has unions fighting mad and vowing political payback for Michigan Republicans. For years, Governor Rick Snyder said right-to-work legislation was nowhere on his agenda, but it seems he's had a very sudden change of heart.
"It was put on my agenda. I didn't want it here, and I don't think it's a great thing to be happening now in some regard," Snyder told me.
Yet the governor is vowing to pass right-to-work legislation the second it slides across his desk.
"I said I would sign this legislation when it got to my desk, which hopefully will be in the next two, three days," he said.
Critics say the new law will bleed the unions of money and bargaining power, but Snyder said this is not anti-union.
"This is about giving workers the freedom to choose, should they pay dues or not," he told me. "Over 80 percent of Michiganders aren't involved with the union, so most people, this is not an issue that really makes any difference."
Not true say congressional Democrats, who are urging the governor to veto the bill or at least delay the vote.
Snyder says making Michigan the 24th right-to-work state will bring jobs to the region, but opponents say it threatens fair pay and collective bargaining.
"The right-to-work is essentially the right to work for less. We've examined the states that have right-to-work laws and without exception the wages are lower, the economy is not as vigorous," said Congressman John Conyers.
"This is going to create an intolerably bad relationship inside our state between labor and management, between citizen and citizen and between citizens and their government," said Congressman John Dingell.
As protesters gear up for a long day in Lansing on Tuesday, many wonder if it's the governor who is settling a score.
"I actually asked the labor community not to move forward with Proposal 2 in terms of the petition drive," said Snyder.
So, I asked him whether this is payback for Proposal 2.
"Not at all. Nothing to do with that. It was more a fact that the whole Proposal 2 created an environment where it was bringing all these labor issues to the forefront and they weren't going away, he answered.
At least two lawsuits have been filed to stop right-to-work legislation from becoming law amid other challenges that the fast tracked vote violated the state's Open Meetings Act. Still, the governor says full steam ahead.
"In these cases, I believe we'd be successful with any legal challenges," he told me.
Tuesday, March 12 2013 4:33 PM EDT2013-03-12 20:33:13 GMT
The 75-year-old grandmother charged with open murder in the shooting death of her own grandson could take the stand any day in her own defense, but Tuesday belonged to the prosecution.
The 75-year-old grandmother charged with open murder in the shooting death of her own grandson could take the stand any day in her own defense, but Tuesday belonged to the prosecution.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 9:46 PM EDT2013-06-19 01:46:58 GMT
Nearly a hundred years ago, two girls from Detroit put a message in a bottle and threw it into the waters of the St. Clair River. Now that message is back on dry land after being found by a diver in 30 feet of water.
Nearly a hundred years ago, two girls from Detroit put a message in a bottle and threw it into the waters of the St. Clair River. Now that message is back on dry land after being found by a diver in 30 feet of water.
Monday, June 17 2013 6:45 PM EDT2013-06-17 22:45:07 GMT
In a surprising move, Tucker Cipriano pled no contest to murder in the beating death of his father. Cipriano made the plea just days before members of his own family were set to testify against him.
In a surprising move, Tucker Cipriano pled no contest to murder in the beating death of his father. Cipriano made the plea just days before members of his own family were set to testify against him.
Monday, June 10 2013 7:54 PM EDT2013-06-10 23:54:52 GMT
There's a special place in hell for people who steal from churches, and you can bet its not air conditioned, but it was the A/C unit that was targeted at Christian Road Ministries on Detroit's west side.
There's a special place in hell for people who steal from churches, and you can bet its not air conditioned, but it was the A/C unit that was targeted at Christian Road Ministries on Detroit's west side.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 11:38 PM EDT2013-06-19 03:38:44 GMT
After initially defying federal regulators, Chrysler abruptly agreed Tuesday to recall some older-model Jeeps with fuel tanks that could rupture and cause fires in rear-end collisions.
After initially defying federal regulators, Chrysler abruptly agreed Tuesday to recall some older-model Jeeps with fuel tanks that could rupture and cause fires in rear-end collisions.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 11:29 PM EDT2013-06-19 03:29:11 GMT
An angry pastor is trying to keep his cool. He is mad at whoever tore apart his air conditioning unit to steal the copper, but he also says the entire community shares the blame.
An angry pastor is trying to keep his cool. He is mad at whoever tore apart his air conditioning unit to steal the copper, but he also says the entire community shares the blame.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 9:46 PM EDT2013-06-19 01:46:58 GMT
Nearly a hundred years ago, two girls from Detroit put a message in a bottle and threw it into the waters of the St. Clair River. Now that message is back on dry land after being found by a diver in 30 feet of water.
Nearly a hundred years ago, two girls from Detroit put a message in a bottle and threw it into the waters of the St. Clair River. Now that message is back on dry land after being found by a diver in 30 feet of water.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 7:26 PM EDT2013-06-18 23:26:33 GMT
The latest dig in the search for former Teamsters' boss Jimmy Hoffa will resume on Wednesday in an Oakland Township field. So far, crews have found two concrete slabs and animal bones.
The latest dig in the search for former Teamsters' boss Jimmy Hoffa will resume on Wednesday in an Oakland Township field. So far, crews have found two concrete slabs and animal bones.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 4:54 PM EDT2013-06-18 20:54:19 GMT
Who will open for Bon Jovi at Ford Field on July 18? Your vote will decide. 20 bands left in the Fox Rocks contest. Voting period: Now through July 10. Time to 'Fox Rocks' the vote.
Who will open for Bon Jovi at Ford Field on July 18? Your vote will decide. 20 bands left in the Fox Rocks contest. Voting period: Now through July 10. Time to 'Fox Rocks' the vote.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 12:20 PM EDT2013-06-18 16:20:44 GMT
Detroit Metropolitan Airport officials evacuated a section of the McNamara Terminal Tuesday morning after a canine picked up the scent of explosives on the apron, where planes load.
Detroit Metropolitan Airport officials evacuated a section of the McNamara Terminal Tuesday morning after a canine picked up the scent of explosives on the apron, where planes load.
