JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – A nationwide effort to ban public employee unions from automatically deducting dues from a member’s paycheck is stalled in the Missouri Senate.

Senate Republican leaders say the issue is a priority that will make the state’s business climate better. Democrats are blocking the measure, saying it harms unions and solves a problem that does not exist.

A number of other states have already implemented a similar measure. The U.S. Supreme Court upheld Idaho’s version in 2012.

Missouri’s legislation is sponsored by Republican Sen. Dan Brown of Rolla. It would require that unions seek annual consent from members to spend their dues on political contributions.

The bill would not apply to the paychecks of “first responders,” such as police and firefighters.

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