Court says gov't unions can collect dues for political activity

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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- A federal appeals court overturned a Utah law that stopped the collection of teachers' payroll contributions for union-sponsored PACs.

The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the measure enacted in 2001 by the Utah Legislature was unconstitutional.

The Denver-based appeals court upheld a ruling of U.S. District Judge Tena Campbell in Salt Lake City.

The Legislature changed the law to stop payroll deductions from being collected for political activity by government-employee unions. Only membership dues could be collected that way.

Thursday's ruling was a victory for the 22,000-teacher Utah Education Association and another education union, the Utah AFL-CIO, the American Federation of Teachers, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and the Professional Firefighters of Utah.

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Information from: Deseret Morning News