Upset Dems Skip Another Day At Statehouse

(Indianapolis, Ind.) - They came back Monday, but Indiana’s House Democrats walked out again Tuesday over right to work.

House Bill 1001 sailed through a six minute hearing of the House Employment, Labor and Pensions Committee that morning, passing on an 8-5 party line vote.

Minority Leader Pat Bauer (D-South Bend) told reporters he and other Democrats were not happy with Tuesday’s committee hearing, because there was no allowance of debate or amendments permitted.

Bauer said that his party members will caucus Wednesday before deciding whether to attend the House session and provide the quorum necessary to conduct business. House Democrats refused to show up for session on the first three days of the 2012 session last week.

A joint committee meeting of House and Senate members was held Monday, but Democrats said that hearing only counted for a hearing on the senate version of the bill.

House Speaker Brian Bosma (R-Indianapolis) said he was disappointed but not shocked at the tactics by Democrats to try to stall the bill.

The right to work legislation could be voted on by the full House later this week, but only if a quorum is present.