Governor Patrick has approved language inserted in the Fiscal Year 2010 supplemental budget that exempts junior ROTC instructors employed in Massachusetts' public schools from having to pay union "agency fees". The exemption will protect veterans across the Commonwealth, including retired Marine Major Stephen Godin, who faced termination from his 14-year post at North High School in Worcester for refusing to pay the fee.
Godin's plight, and Senate Minority Leader Richard Tisei's efforts to save his job, drew not only statewide but national attention. In addition to appearing locally on WTKK with Michael Graham and on WRKO with Howie Carr, Tisei was also a guest on the nationally syndicated Lou Dobbs Show, RushRadio's Jeff Katz Show, and the Fox News Network's Your World with Neil Cavuto.
