LANSING, Mich. — Senate Republican Leader Aric Nesbitt, R-Porter Township, issued the following statement after Senate Democrats approved legislation that would force the unionization of home care providers and allow union dues to be skimmed off of payments meant to offset costs for those caring for family members or loved ones:
“These bills are a farce that will do nothing to improve care or help those who provide assistance to disabled loved ones.
“Caregivers are overwhelmingly made up of family members of chronically sick or disabled individuals, and the only people these bills will help are the ones who, under this legislation, would now be able to collect dues and pick the pockets of those who actually provide the care — as if a parent needs a union membership to have an incentive to care for their child.
“A mother caring for her child, or someone caring for an elderly parent should not require government-mandated unionization. These bills only further grow the size of government while simultaneously shrinking the available resources meant to help those in need. Experts have estimated families will lose $16 million per year that could be used to care for family members and receive exactly nothing in exchange.
“In 2012, this proposal was placed on the ballot and Michigan voters soundly rejected it because they were able to see it for what it was — a shameful money grab and thinly disguised political favor.
“Michigan families deserve better, and people shouldn’t have to sacrifice care so a union can get their cut.”
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