congressman from michigan mark shower who served in the michigan state legislature for 12 years. thank you both for joining us. >> you're welcome. >> my pleasure. >> eliot: mark, let me begin with you. how could this happen in michigan? this is the bluest state we get. union movement has deep roots a deep history. what explains the dynamic that suddenly a right-to-work law a label i reject, how could this law pass in michigan? >> the irony is yesterday chrysler announced $120 million investment in michigan. 115 new jobs. michigan has helped lead the economic comeback for this country in part because of historic collective bargaining agreements between the detroit three and the united autoworkers. we have a labor management partnership that works. this, as you said was about politics. it was about gutting organized labor and the irony is i work for a labor management fund connected with a laborer's union and we invest almost $5 million a year in apprenticeship and training programs. we operate skilled workers to build complicated infrastructure projects like the governor wants to

beyond michigan. well here to answer that question is the chairman of michigan's democratic party he's mark brewer, the nation's longest-serving party chairman. he joins us from lansing. he knows this stuff in and out. mark, thanks so much for being here in "the war room" on this sad and infuriating night. >> thank you governor. it is great to be with you as always. >> jennifer: all right. tell us what does the success of these bills mean for the democratic party in michigan? >> certainly the intent of the republicans is that this be a mechanism to defund to hurt money that goes to the democratic party. we've obtained rid of videotapes of ron wiser and others talking about this governor. >> jennifer: tell people who ron wiser is. >> ron wiser is the former chair of the republican party here. rich is the dnc finance chair. he along with your former opponent, dick devos and other rich folks have been planning this for years. they couldn't get away with it while you were governor but they saw their oppor

>> well where we are seeing it is michigan michigan is coming back. i was interviewed by some woman from cnn yesterday. she said michigan's hemorrhaging jobs. i was like shocked. >> bill: where has she been? >> i am sitting there going, i couldn't believe i heard this on this headset. she said michigan is hemorrhaging jobs. isn't this going to help? i said where are you at? michigan is the comeback state. we are the one that's doing better. our unemployment is lower than the national average. we are hiring people in the auto industry. manufacturing is coming back. the teamsters we are getting more employees. there is no way about it. this is a setback. this is basically a continuation of the right-wing conspiracy, the tea party, and this is, you know, the karl roves, the grover norquists, the sheldon adelsons and the koch brothers. this is the same thing. this just didn't happen. this isn't the will of the people of michigan right now we are fighting this in new hampshire. we are fighting it in missouri and other states. b they get a republican govern

michigan. massive crowds gathering at the state capitol. they're protesting the state's right to work law. the lawmakers set to cast the final votes inside that building this morning. we understand the governor is very ready to sign that into law. very controversial situation going on live in lansing. good morning, everybody, i'm martha maccallum. you are here in america's nice room. >> i'm gregg jarrett in for bill gregg: the right to work vote will mean unions will no longer force workers to pay dues. that the birthplace of the powerful united auto workers union. martha: this has huge national implications over the power of organized labor. governor rick snyder believes there will be more job. he believes the protests hurt more than they help. here he is. >> if you go forward you will create a environment involving labor issues this could rise to the lebl level where i might not keep it off my agenda. i'm not happy about being in this situation. >> he has the responsibility as our leader avoi

this is to move michigan forward. about more and better jobs and worker choice. >> thank you very much, governor. thanks for joining us on a busy day. obviously there on the capitol. we really appreciate it. >> thank you. >>> joining me in the studio for her take on what we've just heard from governor snyder and also the current state of the fiscal cliff negotiations in washington is our colleague and friend ruth marcus from "the washington post." columnist for "the washington post." ruth, this whole issue in the midwest, this used to be most likely in the southern states, but this really is moving, and we're seeing a real decline in union household membership about half what it was 40 years ago. it used to be 24%. now it's 11.8%. >> unions are reeling, and the more states that enact measures like this, the more unions will be reeling. their penetration, the private sector is something like 7% of the private sector work force is unionized, and i have to say -- i don't use words like this very often, i thought some of

you need to know this earlier this year michigan's republican governor rick snyder attended a hearing on capitol hill to talk about state economies and job creation he was asked about controversial right to work for less laws that starve unions of critical funding and leave working people collecting smaller paychecks with fewer benefits and vulnerable to more workplace accidents is what governor snyder had to say about these. right to work is the issue that's a very divisive issue people feel very strongly about it so right to work is an issue that may have its time and place but i don't. i believe it's appropriate michigan during two thousand and twelve i don't believe it's appropriate michigander in two thousand and twelve that's what snyder said earlier this year and yet at his behest at the end of last week his republican colleagues in the state house and senate jammed through a right to work for less law in a rushed thursday evening vote as scores of labor protesters organized outside the state capital only to call his fellow republicans to help him make michigan a right to work

michigan's not a state! it's more of a dingle berry hanging off canada's -- (laughter). >> indiana's a great place to send jobs! it's got the weather of north dakota and the racial harmony of mississippi! (laughter) >> indiana didn't take michigan's jobs, all right? michael moore ate them! (laughter) >> jon: now that both indiana and michigan have the exact same right to work laws, though, how are you going to differentiate yourselves? >> right to work? jon, come on, that is so 11 months ago. indiana's latest pro-business measure is the workplace safety act. any business that relocates here gets to dump whatever they want wherever they want for free. lakes, rivers, wetlands. they take all factories toxic slurry. >> jon: you call that workplace safety act. >> studies show poisoning the environments cuts workplace beaver bites down to zero. no more raccoon maulings or slipping on the o *d toad on a factory floor. dow chemical is very interesting. >> that's no match for michigan's latest pro-business measure. w

what is the future in michigan? how do we fight back in michigan? >> well, we continue to fight, reverend. and, you know, we had demonstrators, we had thousands of people here on the capitol steps today fighting against right to work. we had women here demanding that they have the right to privacy, the right to choose. and that's what we need to continue to do. we are a democracy. and a democracy is a government based on representation. we have elected officials here who are not representing the people that elected them. and that's a real problem. we need to hold them accountable. we didn't take up the bills today in the house, but i have a feeling we're going to be taking up some of these bills tomorrow. and we need to be very vocal, and as i said we need to hold people accountable. these representatives just as you heard, they're not going around saying this is my agenda. it's i believe in small government. well, you know, telling a woman what she can and cannot do with her body is not small government. they talk about jobs. this house bill 5711 w

one republican michigan governor of late said just this year that michigan would never make that mistake. he told a u.s. house committee i don't believe it's appropriate in michigan during 2012. another quote, you look now that they've had those things happen, talk about neighboring states. do they have a productive environment to solve problems? not necessarily. they're still overcoming the divisiveness, the hard feelings from all of that. that last quote of course was from rick snyder. current governor of michigan, who is apparently now been convinced that nothing is too divisive for his state. what happened to turn governor rick snyder around so fast on this? and what is going to happen to michigan if they pushed this through, as they say they are going to at lightning speed as early as tomorrow morning with no debate? joining us now for some insight is andy potter. he is a state vice president in the michigan corrections labor union. mr. potter himself is a republican, which makes me particularly grateful to have a chance to talk to you tonight. so thank you for being here. >> absolu

michigan. but first, we take time out for today's current news update. lisa ferguson's got it out in los angeles. hi, lisa. good morning. >> hey bill. good morning everyone. americans are calling for a major overhaul of the republican party. especially when it comes to the g.o.p.'s pro rich policies. according to a new bloomberg national poll, 87% of people say it's time for some type of change. even support within the republican party is low. only 16% of g.o.p. members think their party is fine the way it is. nbc news "wall street journal" poll shows favorability is slipping. only 30% of those respondents see the party in a positive light. 45% say they don't approve. at issue here is the view of republicans as the party of the rich. voters say it is time to broaden the base and change what they value. some big topics include gay marriage immigration and abortion rights. if republicans are looking to change their stance on abortion, michigan isn't helping much. the state senate there just passe

we want to begin in michigan. take a look. >> we are -- >> union. >> the sound of protesters chanting, filled the state house gallery in lansing, while inside the capital chamber the republican-led legislature passed not just one, two right to work bills. one was for the public workers. the second, which passed moments ago, covers workers in the private sector. with the passing of both bills here, michigan will become the 24th right to work state, all that is left for that to happen, for the republican governor to sign it. rick snyder promises to do exactly that, probably tomorrow. look at more pictures we have for you here. more than 12,000 protesters gathered in freezing temperatures. i think i saw some snow falling earlier there in lansing as the lawmakers were inside, voting. and, against the odds, democrats waged a final losing battle. poppy harlow, let me bring you in there, amidst all of this in lansing. set the scene for me, now that we know, poppy, both the bills passed. what is the reaction like in the c

it also has ties to the family in michigan. of course, president obama weighed in on this yesterday when he was in the state of michigan. i think the president got right to the heart of the matter and was on point. >> these so-called right-to-work laws don't have anything to do with economics. they have everything to do with politics. giving you the right to work for less money. >> joining me now is a reporter from mother jones magazine. great to have you with us, andy. take us behind the curtain and explain the relationship of the koch brothers and all of these right-to-work organizations that have been pushing this behind the scenes. >> what you see in michigan, behind the scenes as you say, are a number of grassroots groups that have names like americans for prosperity, michigan freedom fund and so forth. they are there to push lawmakers to pass right-to-work legislation, funded by some of the biggest interests on the conservative side. the koch brothers, we're talking about the prince family, eric prince used to run black w

congress from michigan. more voters in michigan cast a ballot for a democratic member of congress than cast a ballot for a republican member of congress. and it was by quite a lot, by a couple 100,000 votes. overall, more michigan voters wanted to send a democrat to congress to represent them than wanted to send a republican to represent them. guess who is actually going to congress to represent them? ah, yes, republicans. michigan's congressional delegation will include almost twice as many republicans as democrats, even though more people in michigan picked a democrat when they voted for congress. republicans got nine seat and the democrats got five. what has happened in michigan is not some sort of miscounting of the votes. it is not a mistake. it is weird quite deliberately, and weird by design. elected officials draw up new districts for electing members of congress in state legislatures every ten years after the new census. well, republicans were in charge this time around in michigan, so it was the re

they claim they're helping the michigan economy. but michigan voters don't seem to agree. this is a number that is astounding. a new poll out shows that only 6% of voters surveyed want the legislature to make michigan a right-to-work state. union members say michigan republicans are simply hurting the economy. >> tell me what democracy looks like! >> we're still here. we're still going to fight, even when the odds are stacked against us. >> i know that they're saying that right-to-work will make more jobs. but i don't think that. i believe that right-to-work is going to hurt the people out there. >> to take that away by this kind of right-wing attack by the republican administration is a disgrace to everything michigan has stood for for decades and decades. >> so, governor snyder, i find it interesting. if you sign this, how can you stand in front of the people and say this is what the people want with a number like that? this is how serious this issue is tonight. the entire democratic delegation called a special meeting with the michigan governor, senator debbie stabenow

in 1960, flint was michigan's second largest city 200,000 people. it also had a vibrant middle class, it's public school system was a model for the nation and that was due in large part to the strength of its labor unions and the large number of manufacturing workers living in flint. they took over a factory and they didn't leave until they reached a deal with management. workers occupied several general motor's plants. not for a day, a week but for month -- actually for longer than a month for 40-consecutive days and it worked. they got bargaining rights, and 40-hour workweek and a minimum wage. they had 100,000 people turned out in detroit to show their support for the striking workers in flint 100,000 people. and yesterday, 12,000 people turned out in lancing, michigan to protest against the state's new right to work law. it's a devastating blow to the heart of organized labor in this country, and perhaps no one knows more about than that that garl dean blankinship. >> my father called home one night, he was working on the second shift. he said w

republicans in michigan, all of michigan control the house, the senate, the governor's office, the attorney general, the secretary of state, total control on the state level. less than two hours ago democratic state representative vicki barnett summed the outrage up on the house floor. >> what bothers me most today is that this bill was not discussed ahead of time. it was discharged on the floor then substituted on the floor. members of the unions came up to protest, and they were locked out of this building. this is their house, mr. mr. speaker. it should be allowed in the door. >> locked out. stuff pushed through on procedurally maneuvers. earlier, governor snyder made his case. >> this is an issue that i said was not on my agenda for some time. and why did i say that? only about 17 1/2% of our workers in this state belong to a union. most people do not. so it wasn't a relevant issue for most michiganers. we are losing an advantage. indiana has become a right to work state. i have looked at their pipeline. they have increased the number of businesses to come to indiana and grow in indiana

coming up tonight on the big picture despite thousands of protesters packing the state capitol tens of michigan republican state legislators today asked the republican governor rick snyder signed into law a highly controversial right to work for less bill and more and more states has the right to work for less laws what's the future of labor and in america and are we witnessing it's slow death also millions of senior citizen of the u.s. rely on medicare for life saving health care but republicans in congress don't seem to care are they launching an all out assault on medicare what's the real story behind that and republicans are just trying to destroy medicare they're trying to get rid of social security to the republicans only attacking social security because they're afraid to admit that it proves government can work. you need to know this michigan is now a right to work for a lot of state republicans rammed through the law this afternoon and it was promptly signed behind closed doors by republican governor rick snyder in response as many as fifty thousand workers converged on the michigan st

they don't have jobs in michigan. do you know, by the way, this someone of my candidates for president, rick snyder. he's a magnificent governor and bless the legislator. detroit used to have millionaires than new york. it it was a beautiful city. they almost had the eolympics there. you can see the videos of what detroit was like. first it was dried by the mob with the race riots. then it was destroyed by the unions driving the jobs abroad. and people have the precise numbers on this. the amount of money you paid for a car that is paying for pensions of people who retired five years ago that's correct is a do youing state. one of the most beautiful states in the union and that's what happens. >> let me answer your great point. this is true. right now detroit is on the verge of bankruptcy. one of america's great cities. they have lost half their population. can go on the internet. i urge our viewers to go out there. you can buy homes in detroit for a thousand dollars. last time i was there, it was shocking how one boa

this is to move michigan forward. about more and better jobs and worker choice. >> and one top union official has vowed to wage war against lawmakers that support the measure saying, quote, we are going to take you out. nbc's ron mott has the latest of lansing. >> reporter: good afternoon, tamron. protest is the word of the day. they're voicing opposition to this legislation that would make michigan the 24th right to work state in the country. now, the governor rick snyder is expected to sign this legislation when and if it hits his desk. a lot of folks here believe that this is a back door attempt at trying to limit democracy in the state of michigan. you can hear some of the protests behind me and union workers here believe it's a direct attempt at trying to break the backs of the unions as i should say and a lot of folks believe that this is payback for the result of the election on november 6th. the re-election of president obama. i spoke with the head of the chamber of commerce here in michigan. he believes this

particularly in michigan. michigan is a a state that was create -- created by labor unions and probably a hire percentage of labor unions in michigan than any other state. we'll be right back with amanda terkel from "huffington post." >> announcer: on your radio and on current tv, this is the "bill press show." at facebook.com/billpressshow and on twitter at bpshow. >>i believe people are hungry for it. >>bill shares his views, now it's your turn. >>i know you're going to want to weigh in on these issues. >>connect with "full court press with bill press" at facebook.com/billpressshow and on twitter at bpshow. >>i believe people are hungry for it. let's rock and roll. there is so much going on that every day presents another exciting issue. from financial regulation, iran getting a nuclear bomb, civil war in syria, fraud on wall street, destruction of medicare and medicaid. there are real issues here. having been a governor, i know that trade-offs are tough. things everyday exploding around the world that leave

alisyn: start this hour in michigan. fox's mike tobin is at the statehouse among proterse still outside. he joins us live. it looks notably quiet this hour, mike. what is happening. >> reporter: an update on the legislation, allison. one of the bills related to public employees is on the way to the governor's desk where the governor says will sign it. another bill related to private sectors employees was approved by the senate but hung up in a bit of procedure called reviseal. looks like that will come back into the chambers again tomorrow. a review, pardon me. as far as what's going on behind me the numbers have dwindled quite a bit. a lot of demonstrators gone across the street to the romney building where the governor's office is. they're banging drums. if you see the white swath on the ground behind us that is the tent operated by the group, americans for prosperity. the conservative organization linked to the coke brothers. an individual named scott was there when it was torn down. >> they rushed our chant. chanting

and filmmaker from michigan, michigan native michael moore is here with reaction to governor snyder's move and how he plans to fight back. stay tuned. >>> welcome back to "the ed >>> welcome back to "the ed show." thanks for watching tonight. i tell you, it's a full-time job wading through the lies op michigan's right to work law. here's governor rick snyder offering one of the biggest reasons for supporting the law. >> indiana's had a strong experience. they've done similar legislation back in february. they've seen thousands of jobs come to indiana. and those jobs could also come to michigan. >> and when you look at indiana and see what they've achieved since february when they did similar legislation, they've gotten thousands of jobs coming to indiana because of this issue. >> all you have to do is look to indiana. and as soon as they did this legislation, thousands of jobs have come to indiana since that time frame. >> we're losing a major competitive advantage. indiana has become a right to work state. and i've looked at their pipeline. they've significantly increased the number

demonstrators came from all over michigan and neighboring states. united auto worker, teamsters, brotherhood of ewhether he can tri call workers and school teachers. the school district reports 750 staffers called in sick and schools were closed. this is a fight that the michigan governor, republican rick snyder said he did not want. he says he warned labor proponents against an effort called proposition two. which would have enshrineed selective bargaining rights in the michigan constitution. that ballot issue failed in the november election. >> what continued after that is start of the discussion right to work. >> it became a loud and boisterous discussion. so i felt at times in terms of the good leadership to say i didn't want it on my agenda now. it's here. >> demonstrators say working men and women are the subject of political retribution. >> retribution for standing up and fighting for working people. they want to us attack the different groups. they attack us. >> right to work legislation would outlaw the mandatory union due and membership as

history made in michigan. governor rick snyder officially signing right to work laws that diminish the power of unions. doug luzader is life in washington for us. >> michigan makes it 24 there are 2 dozen right to work states across the country. michigan may be the most significant because of the historic role it played in the growth of union power just decade after decade. it did get ugly outside of the state capitol there in lansing. there were huge protests outside of the capitol building. at one point union supporters had a small counter protest. steven crauter was punched several times. michigan's republican governor told bill o'reilly last night that the new law was about worker's rights. >> this legislation is about freedom to choose for workers, bill. this isn't about the relationship between employers and unions at all. this is not about collective bargaining at all. this is not about other basics e about organizing at all. this is about the relationship between unions and workers. >> democrats fear t

and filmmaker from michigan, michigan native michael moore is here with reaction to governor snyder's move and how he plans to fight back. stay tuned. copd makes it hard to breathe, but with advair, i'm breathing better. so now i can be in the scene. advair is clinically proven to help significantly improve lung function. unlike most copd medications, advair contains both an anti-inflammatory and a long-acting bronchodilator working together to help improve your lung function all day. advair won't replace fast-acting inhalers for sudden symptoms and should not be used more than twice a day. people with copd taking advair may have a higher chance of pneumonia. advair may increase your risk of osteoporosis and some eye problems. tell your doctor if you have a heart condition or high blood pressure before taking advair. if you're still having difficulty breathing, ask your doctor if including advair could help improve your lung function. get your first full prescription free and save on refills at advaircopd.com. >>> welcome back to "the ed show." thanks for watching tonight. i tell you,

if governor snyder signs this bill in michigan as expected, michigan would be the most heavily unionized right to work state in the country. alison kosik, describe what's happening now. demonstrators are starting to gather outside of the capitol. are they going to be allowed inside as this historic legislation is passed? >> reporter: they are inside right now as well as outside, so behind me you've got several hundred protesters that began arriving, even before daylight, with their signs, some inflatable rafts, often a symbol of union protests, sitting on the lawn outside here and inside, yes, there are protesters inside, especially right where the gallery is, right where the house floor is, because they want to watch the house in action when it begins in session at 10:00 a.m. in about an hour, so they'll be able to watch the legislative process at work. but there's a huge spillover crowd inside the capitol building, a huge crowd, a couple hundred, in each rotunda on three floors chanting, you can hear their voices inside the capital, once you walk in, you can hear their voices reverb ra

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for michigan workers. you have hard working people in michigan. this is giving workers choice. >> republicans lost five seats in the michigan legislature last month and democrats accused them of fast tracking the right to work bill through the house and senate in a single day last week to get it done before the new legislature takes office next month. the democratic members of congress tried to pressure legislators not to approve the bill. they were scolded by the state house speaker for pressuring lansing instead of dealing with the fiscal cliff. >> gretchen: wendell goler, thanks very much. >> steve: let's switch down to our nation's capitol and at the bureau, you can see -- >> you guys, doocy and everybody that -- you guys look like you should break out into "i'll be home for christmas" with that set. i mean, boling, come on, you got to chime in. this is unbelievable! ♪ the most wonderful time of the year ♪ ♪ . >> andy williams is rolling over in his grave right now. >> eric: i wore my christmas t

. >>> michigan lawmakers have taken the final step toward returning traditional pro union stronghold into a right to work stay katie marzullo is live in the newsroom with the latest. >> reporter: to bring this home, california is not a right to work state. unions here can make workers join and pay dues. michigan going in the opposite direction, less than two hours ago the house passed right to work legislation, affecting public sector workers they passed it 58-51. representatives had already ok'd second bill focusing on private sector employees the senate approved both last week. with thousands circling outside the capitol in lansing, and another 2,000 plus inside, the michigan house has approved the second of two contentious right to work bills that weaken union power in the pro labor state. worker reaction was swift and angry. >> getting lied to, with we done like it. >> reporter: if and when legislation clears the governor's desk, michigan will be the 24th right to work state that means nonunion employs won't be forced to pay unions for services. backers say it will bring more job

michigan would be the 24th state. this isn't a new discussion nationwide. 24 states in the next couple of days will be the right-to-work states that will put us in a better position for worker freedom where they have the chance to actually choose to participate without it being compelled to do so. >> let me just say... ifill: go ahead, congressman. let me say in terms of brand new. look, there has been no airing of this issue in michigan. >> i disagree completely congressman. >> let me finish. ifill: gentlemen, one at a time. i'll give you your opportunity to respond. >> let me finish. what happened was this. there was an election. this is a lame-duck session. it was decided, well, because of the election, maybe you can't get it through next year so push it through. there are no hearings ever been held on this in the state of michigan. we've had a pattern ofy fek live labor-management relations for many many years. now you're going to set people against each other. there's no coercion here. nobody has to join a union