Democratic lawmakers have introduced two bills that will serve no other purpose than to enrich the labor unions that financially support their party. It’s raw political backscratching aimed at boosting union resources and thus cementing Democratic control of Lansing.

House Bill 4235, introduced by freshman Rep. Alabas Farhat, D-Dearborn, would make union dues fully refundable on Michigan income tax forms. And it goes further — if the credit allowed exceeds the tax liability of the dues-paying taxpayer, the excess dues will be refunded dollar-for-dollar.

So, the 90% of Michigan workers who don’t belong to a union will pay the dues of the 10% who do. The bill makes no similar provision for refunding professional association fees or other expenses incurred by non-union workers.

With taxpayers footing the entire burden of union dues in Michigan, unions will be perversely incentivized to raise the fees on members who won’t be paying them anyway. The proposed law would allow unions to tap the state Treasury without limit.

Combined with the repeal of right-to-work, this will force thousands of workers back into unions. Membership and funds should swell immensely.

What will unions do with all that money?

The second bill in the package answers that question. House Bill Rep 4234, offered by Rep. Penelope Tsernoglou, D-East Lansing, would exempt unions from political action committee contribution limits. That means the Michigan Education Association and other labor outfits will be able to give as much as they want to political candidates.

Every single Democratic state lawmaker elected in 2022 received funds from at least one labor union. Labor contributions to legislators who won office totaled over $2.3 million in the cycle, and $5.6 million for all state Democratic candidates.

Republican legislative candidates got about $200,000 in union money.

The motivation of Democrats to boost union coffers is obvious. A whole lot of that money comes back to them.

No public good is served by this legislation. It’s a blatant reward to the unions who helped give Democrats control of the Legislature.

As thank you gifts go, it’s hard to recall one this generous.

Democrats and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer have made the labor agenda their top priority in this legislative session, and they’re not done yet. Coming up, watch for legislation to give the MEA much more influence over schools.

Returning Michigan to a union-dominated state may be good for Democrats, but it will damage the state’s ability to attract new jobs, investments and residents.

And that’s where policymaking should be focused.