Will requiring a written authorization for paycheck deductions -- union dues and political contributions -- offer more privacy to employees -- or make it easier for others to see what their employees are up to?

JEFFERSON CITY -- The Missouri House narrowly approved a measure requiring annual written authorization from public employees for any paycheck deductions for union membership or political contributions.

With two votes to spare, the bill dubbed "paycheck protection" by supporters and "paycheck deception" by opponents, was given final approval Thursday. The measure applies to public employees but exempts first responders, including law enforcement, firefighters, nurses and physicians.

This bill essentially tells a public employee to write, "I give you written authorization to withdraw funds for my union dues and political contributions to XXX, which means that no one is forcing me to have these funds deducted, and, ergo, my privacy is assured."

Yeah, that'll work.

The bill, approved 83-69, now goes to the Senate. If they approve it, through a clause, it'll bypass the governor and go up for a referendum on the August ballot.