Indianapolis House Democrats Flee State In Protest

INDIANAPOLIS -- Indiana House Democrats may have fled the state in protest of a so-called right-to-work bill and other GOP-backed bills in the Legislature, a Democratic Party source told 6News.

Sources gave conflicting information about the whereabouts of Indiana Democrats, who didn't show up to begin the day in the House on Tuesday morning, effectively stopping business in that legislative chamber.

It was obvious from all the empty seats on the Democratic side of the chamber that the House did not have the two-thirds quorum needed to conduct business. But the rules required a vote anyway.

"Roll call shows 58 members present. For the first time I can recall, the House is unable to conduct its business today for failure of a quorum at the outset of a session day," said House Speaker Brian Bosma.

Bosma questioned Terri Austin, D-Anderson, one of three Democrats present, about when or if her caucus would return to the floor.

"I cannot predict how long it will take the members of the Democratic caucus to do their work and do it thoroughly," Austin said.

Bosma recessed the House until 2 p.m., when another quorum call was scheduled.

Numerous bills on Gov. Mitch Daniels' agenda could die if the walkout continues, but Bosma wouldn't comment on the possibility of pulling the right-to-work bill in return for Democrats return to the floor.

"I've not received any message from the Democrats that they have any terms or conditions here," Bosma said. "They probably understand that I'm not in the business of negotiating with people who aren't doing their job."

Austin said Democrats object to more than the controversial right-to-work legislation.

"This is not just about right-to-work. This is about a radical education agenda that's going to let for-profit schools come in and take over our state," she said.

Normally, standoffs between the parties don't happen until later in the session, but Democrats had to make their stand now, while the bill is still in the House. In the Senate, Republicans enjoy a more than two-thirds majority, so Democrats can't block action by denying a quorum.

Democrats currently have little power in Indiana state government, having lost the House to Republicans in 2010. The GOP holds a strong advantage in the Indiana Senate, and the governor's office is occupied by a Republican, too.

Union protesters descended on the Statehouse on Monday to protest the right-to-work bill, which cleared a committee along party lines, and there were more protests on Tuesday, with union members vowing to keep up the fight until they get what they want.

The bill would prohibit union membership and fees from being a condition of employment

Backers argue the right-to-work law would remove a barrier to attracting business expansions to the state, while critics say the bill would weaken unions and drive down wages.

Union protesters targeted Indiana in the wake of a walkout in the Wisconsin Legislature that is in its second week.

http://www.theindychannel.com/politics/26952040/detail.html