On September 16, State Rep. Arlan Meekoff attempted to tie-bar HB 4454 onto HB 6256, a bill to regulate nursing homes that the Democrats wanted to pass. Meekoff's strategy appears to have been an attempt to force the pro-union side to swallow a RTW bill that they did NOT want as the price for getting what the DID want: having HB 6256 pass.

The amendment failed, with the Dem majority all voting "no."

But, also of note, 14 Republicans joined the "no" side. The MIRS story the next day said: "Republicans won a chance to vote on right to work amendment today, but watched 14 of their colleagues vote against the measure..."

35 Republicans voted "yes."

A full story will be in the next issue of Michigan Capitol Confidential. It is due out within days.