Michigan's right-to-work law, adopted in December 2012 over the vociferous objections of organized labor and state Democratic lawmakers, continues to be a sore subject whenever it comes up.

And RTW came up Sept. 8, when MIRS News Service reported that three Michigan GOP leaders and proponents of right-to-work, Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof, House Speaker Keven Cotter, and state Rep. Margaret O'Brien (R-Portage), took a road trip to Missouri on Sept. 3 to talk about Michigan's experience with passing the law. Joining them for the ride to the Show Me State was former Republican House Speaker Jase Bolger.

Missouri's GOP-dominated Legislature has sent a RTW bill to Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon, who vetoed it - but Republican lawmakers are attempting to arrange a vote this month to override his veto. The Michigan lawmakers took the road trip to talk to about 15-20 Missouri lawmakers about right-to-work - at a time when the Lansing Legislature is under heavy criticism for not finding a way to increase road repair funding.

Asked AFL-CIO President Ron Bieber: "What do our legislative leaders care about in Missouri more than fixing the problems that we have in Michigan?"

Bolger, who arranged the trip, told MIRS "there is nothing wrong with sharing the story of freedom and why right to work is good and empowers Michigan workers." Bolger tweeted a photo of the four of them in the car.

Michigan Democratic Party Chair Brandon Dillon tweeted in response: "How were the roads in Missouri?" He later tweeted, "Because the Republican Legislature has been so productive this year . . . #goodgrief."