Koch brothers-funded Americans for Prosperity starts ad campaign for Nixa rep's labor bill

JEFFERSON CITY — A nationwide group backed by two Republican megadonors is throwing its weight behind a Nixa lawmaker's bill that would require regular union recertification elections.

Mailers and digital ads will be sent around the state in support of House Bill 251, according to a news release from the Missouri chapter of Americans for Prosperity, a conservative nonprofit backed by billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch.

HB 251 was filed by Rep. Jered Taylor, R-Nixa, as part of a package of labor reform bills moved through the legislature at the behest of GOP lawmakers and Gov. Eric Greitens, a Republican.

One requirement of Taylor's bill is to require public-sector unions to obtain written permission from members before deducting dues from their paychecks. This provision is variously referred to as "paycheck protection" or "paycheck deception," depending on who's talking.

Another part of Taylor's bill would require public-sector unions to disclose financial information similar to private-sector unions.

AFP's mailers highlight a different part of the bill, one that would require unions to hold elections every two years on whether to recertify unions.

Taylor's version of the bill did not include this provision — the union recertification clause was added in the Senate — but he supports it.

The mailers, which urge "accountability" for unions, will be sent to the districts of several Republican state senators, according to the release:

• Sen. Bob Dixon (Springfield) 
• Sen. Dan Hegeman (northwestern Missouri)
• Sen. Denny Hoskins (Warrensburg)
• Sen. Mike Kehoe (Jefferson City)
• Sen. Ron Richard (Joplin)
• Sen. Jeanie Riddle (eastern and mid-Missouri)
• Sen. Caleb Rowden (Columbia)
• Sen. Rob Schaaf (St. Joseph)
• Sen. Dave Schatz (eastern Missouri)

AFP targeted those senators' districts to catalyze support in the last few weeks of the session.

"This paid effort is to remind Senators there is still a lot of work to be done before they adjourn in less than two weeks," Jeremy Cady, AFP's state director, said in a statement. "Missourians are counting on them to put aside their political differences and pass meaningful reform, which include union recertification and bolstering workers' rights."

AFP had previously discussed its efforts to back the paycheck legislation, and Cady told the News-Leader in March that the organization was buying digital ads to mobilize its supporters.

Labor reform has the blessing of Republican leadership and Gov. Eric Greitens, but Taylor's bill is one of many mired in the Senate quagmire. The Senate on Wednesday adjourned after just 10 minutes, capping weeks of discord. Sen. Mike Kehoe, the majority party's floor leader, was absent, unable to reach the Capitol due to floodwaters.

Taylor said he's hopeful the bill will return from the Senate in time for the House to approve its changes but acknowledges there's only a "slim chance" the bill comes home.

National conservative group continues focus on Missouri legislature