LANSING (WKZO) -- Senate Democrats tried, but failed, to get a vote on a repeal of Michigan's right-to-work laws, set to take effect in about two weeks.

Senator Virgil Smith of Detroit complained about action in the state House to crack down on schools and universities that are agreeing to extended contracts with their unions, as House Republicans see those as an effort to skirt the new law.  Right-to-work makes it illegal to require union dues as a condition of employment.

Michigan will become the 24th state in the U.S. to enact right-to-work laws.