An anti-tax activist in Oregon (with a bit of a checkered past) is attempting a local ballot initiative to ban collection of union dues from paychecks of public employees if those unions commingle portions of dues money for political purposes. It is similar to a statewide ballot initiative that failed in 1998 (also sponsored by Bill Sizemore’s Oregon Taxpayers United. Unions are not campaigning against the measure, arguing that it is unconstitutional under federal and state law. They don’t plan to do anything unless it passes, at which time they will challenge the measure. I’ll keep and eye out for updates, but it is an interesting idea.
