Friday, January 13, 2012

Another big day in Indiana

Earlier this week in the Indiana Capitol.
First the news, thanks to the Indianapolis Star:
House Speaker Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis, said Democrats will be able to offer an amendment seeking a statewide referendum on the so-called “right to work” legislation.
House Minority Leader B. Patrick Bauer, D-South Bend, had said this morning Democrats were concerned that a Republican bill filed this week that calls for a referendum will be used to block them from seeking that when the House debates amendments on Tuesday. A House rule says an amendment can not be the same as a bill that has been filed, even if that bill did not get a hearing.
The so-called “bill pending” rule has been used by both parties over years to avoid having to vote on issues.
Hmmm. We'll see what happens with that.

Meanwhile, the Star is hosting a live chat this afternoon. Hoosiers are blasting right-to-work for what it is: a ploy to lower workers' wages and benefits. Some cherce comments:
1:06 Comment From Mike I am amazed that Indians's republican majority wishes to take the state back to the 1950's rather than moving us forward but tryng to pass the so called "Right to Work" law!
1:06 Comment From Ellen I worked in a 'right to work' state for many years. Wages were much lower than where I had moved from but everyday expenses were just the same. It was a struggle to make ends meet.
1:06 Comment From Mike Why is the Republican party the party of less government so bent on this issue?
1:06 Comment From P Hill  to the question, yes after heavy research the number given by Bosma and Daniels just don't hold water. The "stats" they cite are wrong, unverifable or just out and out wrong. This should be dropped to move on to real business
Hearings will be held all weekend, and we expect they'll be as well attended as they've been in the past few weeks. They'll be in Logansport, Angola, West Lafayette, Anderson and Indianapolis on Saturday. On Sunday, they'll be held in Warsaw and New Haven. Go to the Indiana AFL-CIO website for more details.