Indiana 'Right-To-Work' Proposal Leads Top House Democrat To Hint At Walkout

[Judi Lynn]

Indiana 'Right-To-Work' Proposal Leads Top House Democrat To Hint At Walkout
TOM LoBIANCO 01/ 4/12 01:03 PM ET

INDIANAPOLIS — The leader of Indiana's House Democrats hinted Wednesday that party lawmakers may walk out for the second year in a row to oppose the same Republican "right-to-work" bill blocked last year by their five-week boycott. But some lawmakers seemed split on whether to make such a move.

House Democratic Leader Patrick Bauer told The Associated Press that his caucus planned to meet Wednesday to debate how to handle the GOP proposal that would make Indiana the 23rd state to bar businesses and private unions from mandating that workers pay union fees for representation.

Bauer led the walkout last year. But new fines and lawmakers concerned about re-election in 2012 have made the group wary of another. Rep. Scott Reske, D-Pendleton, says he feels the $1,000-a-day fine is expensive and he hinted that some Democrats might not push for a walkout.

~snip~
Hundreds of union members packed the hall outside the room where Democrats met Wednesday afternoon and cheered each member as they walked into the caucus meeting.

More:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/04/indiana-right-to-work-bill_n_1183739.html

[leftyohiolib]

1. walking out is a 1st amendment issue how could they be fined?

[Myrina]

4. They were fined last year. As were the WI Dems ...

[southernyankeebelle]

2. Walk out people. A right-to-work state is down right terrible. Workers have no rights.

[Myrina]

3. Problem is, people here don't research it, they take the title at face value.

It's not Right TO Work, it's Right To Work for Less, in Crappy Conditions, and be Fired for No Reason but I have yet to see one media outlet describe it as such.

[southernyankeebelle]

6. You are right. All you have to do is look at the southern states where working conditions aren't

good.

[EC]

5. When I read this morning that

the repubs were going to try and push this through, I was hoping the Dems would do something like a walk-out to get the unions and workers back on the streets and fired up again. The recall here in WI will help with that too. There will be Democratic enthusiasum (sp) then.

[indypaul]

7. Bring pitchforks.... N/T

[Myrina]

8. Additionally, Gov Daniels canned the 'crowd limits' for the statehouse

So I guess either he doesn't really care about Hoosier crowd safety, or it was never about that in the first place.

http://www.wishtv.com/dpp/news/indiana/gov-rescinds-statehouse-crowd-limit


"INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Gov. Mitch Daniels says a controversial decision to limit the number of people allowed in the Indiana Statehouse has been rescinded.

Daniels called a last-minute news conference on the topic Wednesday, after days of debate.

Officials had updated the Statehouse security policy to only allow 3,000 people in the Statehouse at any time, including employees. Critics said the policy was aimed at protesters, including those opposed to right-to-work legislation."

[24601]

9. Why do I suspect that if Daniels supported the limit, that you would have blasted him for trying to

suppress protesters?

When people make good decisions, they should be supported - regardless of party. I've been in the Indiana Statehouse (starting as a House Page in the late 60s) and it will safely hold far more than 3000. 1st Amendment speech & assembly provisions should trump an arbitrary limit.

[Myrina]

10. ... probably because you know nothing about me.

I did blast him when he supported the limit. And I still think he's a piece of shit for now backing off only because of public outrage over his Scott-Walker-Like attempt to strongarm the Indiana State constitution.

Go back to your hidey hole, whoever you are.

[24601]

11. I don't hide from your abuse nor do I care what you think of Gov Daniels. I do care when world-class

hypocrisy takes root and reflects poorly on all DUers.

Your admission proves that my original inference was precisely accurate in sizing you up and that knowing you or not neither adds nor detracts from that judgment.

[deestop]

12. rat to work

I see this law dissolving unions. If workers are split, and not required to pay dues dillusion is inevitable. On the other side , if unions are so secure about there presence , why do they mandate dues and membership? Why is this not open for discussion on the floor? Demorats show up, bill passed,(ramrodded ) through by our Ruler Mitch, who once again, he strongarms his agenda. Why don't Hoosiers get an opprotunity to vote on this and DSL and many issues as Ohioans had these issues on there ballott, Because Mitch is a Ruler, not a Govenor.