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Detroit judge blocks health care worker law

DETROIT, MI (AP)--   A judge has blocked a new Michigan law that was intended to cut off union dues paid by home health care workers. 

Detroit Federal Judge Nancy Edmunds said Wednesday an injunction is needed because the law illegally impairs an existing contract.  SEIU Healthcare Michigan represents 42,000 home health care aides, although they are self-employed and not government workers.  Some are family members of the sick.

Union dues are deducted from taxpayer subsidies that go to home workers.  Union lawyer John Canzano says it adds up to $400,000 to $500,000 a month.

The arrangement began under then-governor Jennifer Granholm, a Democrat.  The law attacking it was passed by Republican lawmakers and signed by GOP Governor Rick Snyder.

Nicole was born near Detroit but has lived in the U.P. most of her life. She graduated from Marquette Senior High School and attended Michigan State and Northern Michigan Universities, graduating from NMU in 1993 with a degree in English.