February 24, 2021
The Honorable Craig Blair
Lieutenant Governor &
President of the Senate
Room 229M, Building 1
State Capitol Complex
Charleston, WV 25305
Dear Lieutenant Governor Blair :
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce supports H.B. 2009, which relates to the withholding of
funds from employees for the purpose of supporting a political candidate or activities. This bill
would make it unlawful to withhold or divert an employee’s salary for use as such a contribution
without the employee’s express, written consent. The bill further makes it an unfair labor
practice for a labor organization to use dues, assessments, or other fees paid to it by an individual
who is not a member of the labor organization, and it permits an employee to modify or
withdraw an authorization for such paycheck deductions at any time.
The freedom to support or not to support political candidates and causes is fundamental
in the United States. H.B. 2009 will protect workers from having funds deducted from their
paychecks without their authorization and used to support political candidates or
activities. Moreover, it will eliminate excessively onerous conditions for an individual to
withdraw his or her authorization when it has been given. Protecting employees from such
practices would promote a fairer workplace environment and prevent involuntary contributions
for purposes they may not wish to support.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce thanks you, the Senate, and the House of Delegates for
leading on this issue and we look forward to passage of H.B. 2009.
Sincerely
Glenn Spencer
