Ind. Democrats Hold Out On Day 2

Friday, January 6, 2012 at 6:29 AM

(Indianapolis, Ind.) - The stalemate between Republicans and Democrats continued Thursday in the Indiana House of Representatives.

Democrats again held caucus all day Thursday and did not take to the House floor, which prevented the necessary quorum. At least 67 representatives must be present to allow for voting on any bill, including a highly contentious right to work proposal, House Bill 1001.

Rep. Dave Cheatham (D-North Vernon) is one of three Democrats who did not participate in the holdout Thursday as he showed on the House floor.

“Last year I took my stand. I did all I could, my caucus did all we could, to try to at least make people aware of what these issues were and how they would affect them,” Cheatham said, according to the Indianapolis Star. “If we weren’t able to stop the legislation last year what makes us think we can stop it this year?”

Minority Leader Pat Bauer (D-South Bend) and House Speaker Brian Bosma (R-Indianapolis) did meet for about 30 minutes. Bauer said Democrats want to hold meetings across the state about right to work.

Bosma did not sound excited about the idea.

“I consider that a delay tactic. You can’t make people do the right thing,” Bosma said, adding right to work was studied and debated during summer hearings.

Bosma and other Republican leaders said prior to the legislative session that right to work would be their top priority. They have acted as such, planning a joint House-Senate meeting on the bill.

The speaker is aiming for a final vote on right to work sometime next week.

Republicans will attempt to meet in session again Friday. Democrats have not said whether they will appear.

Under a law enacted last year, lawmakers who fail to show up in session for more than three consecutive days could be fined up to $1,000 per day.

LINKS:

Dems No Show On First Day Of Indiana Session

Gov. Lifts Restrictions On Statehouse Access

Prayer Group Waived Of New Statehouse Policy

New Policy Limits Crowd Sizes At Ind. Statehouse

Get Ready: 2012 Legislative Session Begins

Local Lawmakers Prepare For 2012 Session