Judge stops law that affects campaign cash

FLINT (AP) — A federal judge has suspended a Michigan law that hurt political fundraising by labor unions.

Judge Linda Parker says the new law likely violates the free speech rights of unions and their members.

She signed an injunction last Thursday, stopping a law that bars companies from collecting money from employees who agree to give to a union’s political fund.

Many companies allow payroll deduction as part of their contract with unions, which find it to be the most effective way to collect contributions from members.

The law took effect in January after it was approved by the Republican-controlled Legislature.

The judge noted that it treats unions differently than companies that use payroll deduction to collect money for their own political funds.

Companies aren’t affected by the law.