LANSING, MI - Gov. Rick Snyder now says right-to-work legislation is "on the agenda" in Michigan -- but says no decisions have been made about whether or how to proceed on the issue.

“What I would say to you is right to work is on the agenda,” Snyder told reporters Tuesday after emerging from a meeting with Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville and House Speaker Jase Bolger. “We are having discussions on it. We have not made any decisions. So there’s just ongoing discussions.”

There are scenarios where right-to-work legislation would be taken up by the end of the year. There also are scenarios where it wouldn't be taken up during "lame duck." There doesn't appear to be a definitive timeline on when to make that decision -- but it likely must be made soon because lawmakers are scheduled to be in Lansing for only a couple of more weeks. Snyder said there will be continuing talks Wednesday and Thursday and a conclusion will be reached "when appropriate."

There's no hotter topic at the state Capitol. Citizens from across the state are trying to make their voices heard as Snyder and Republicans who hold the majority in the Legislature try to decide whether to pursue the polarizing union-related legislation.

Snyder previously had said right to work wasn't on his agenda -- so Tuesday's statement is significant in that sense. But it's still not clear exactly what Snyder means by "on the agenda." Snyder did not say whether he supports pursuing right to work.

Snyder was pressed by media as to whether right to work was now on "his" agenda. Snyder said that because it is an issue under active discussion, it is “on the agenda.”

After leaving the meeting, Richardville told MLive on right-to-work legislation: “There’s a possibility that there will be one, there’s a possibility that there won’t be one.”

He said questions include: Do they take up right-to-work legislation and if so, “to what level” and “when and if.”

Richardville said he thinks the governor has been forced to consider the issue because unions pushed Proposal 2, the ballot measure that would have prevented right-to-work from becoming law. Voters rejected Proposal 2 last month.

"But now the debate’s there, so you kind of have to deal with it," Richardville said.

Snyder was asked whether unions would have to make concessions on other legislation in exchange for Republicans not pursuing right-to-work. He said: “That’s one of the things we have been discussing. There’s been discussions with people in labor. Again, people on both sides of this issue have been talking on a regular basis and I hope those discussions continue. … Are there ways to work through it or are there alternatives?”

But Snyder also said: "This isn't just trade-offs or bargaining, per se. This is people talking about what's right for the citizens of Michigan."

Progress Michigan, a group that often works with unions and supports their causes, said it was "disappointing" to hear that right to work was "on the agenda." Executive director Zack Pohl said in a statement that he hoped Snyder would "do the right thing" and pledge to veto right to work.

Related:

• Tim Skubick: Union leader hopes Gov. Snyder can keep right-to-work issue at bay

• Right-to-work: Michigan Chamber of Commerce supports legislation as Republicans weigh decision

MLive reporter David Eggert contributed to this report.



Email Tim Martin at tmartin4@mlive.com. Follow him on Twitter: @TimMartinMI