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Senate approves bill barring payroll deduction for PAC contributions after heated debate
Summary
After extended debate on constitutionality and workplace pressure, the Utah Senate on Feb. 14 approved First Substitute House Bill 179 to prohibit payroll deduction of political action committee contributions, passing 17–12. Supporters said the bill removes government from collecting political funds; opponents raised free-speech and coercion concerns.
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Senate voted 17–12 on Feb. 14 to pass First Substitute House Bill 179, known as the Voluntary Contributions Act, which largely prohibits employers from deducting political action committee (PAC) contributions from employees’ paychecks.
Sen. Mike Paulton, sponsor for the Senate, said the bill would let employees still contribute to the political causes of their choice but require them to do so by check or other direct means rather than through employer payroll systems. “Employees would still be able to make contributions by writing a check to their political causes that they choose,” Paulton said during the bill’s third-reading debate.
The Senate considered an…
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