Absent House Democrats to be filed $1,000 per day

For the second time in a year, Indiana House democrats are being fined $1000 a day for their refusal to report to work on the floor of the house of representatives in order to avoid a debate on controversial Republican right-to-work legislation.

Democrats claim Republicans engineered a non-partisan Legislative Services Agency opinion that found any attempt to approve a statewide referendum on right-to-work would be found unconstitutional.

"We believe that there are votes from the House Republicans that may vote for a referendum," said Rep. David Niezgodski (D-South Bend), "But what they did…Speaker Bosma pretty much locked everybody in because it was much easier to say this is unconstitutional rather than to say, 'I've voted no for a referendum to take it to the people.'"

Bosma said after two failed attempts Wednesday, he will try to gavel the House into session Thursday at 9 a.m. to begin debate on the legislation that would allow union dues to be collected on a voluntary basis in Indiana.


"They need to show up on the house floor and do the job they were elected to do and not attend rallies in lieu of working," said Bosma.

Democrats met in the Statehouse rotunda with union supporters before going into caucus. Unionists chanted “One Day Longer, One Day Stronger” in the Indiana Statehouse’s rotunda as they gathered around House Democrats.

Representative Pat Bauer has said the Democrats will stand up to the fines. Last year's fines are being disputed in a court fight.

“I am increasingly disappointed with the House Democrats and their return to strong-arm tactics that silence the voice of every Hoosier,” said State Rep. Cindy Kirchhofer (R-Beech Grove). “The House Republicans have made accommodations to continue progress only to have the minority leader rescind his word. The House Democrats are destroying the trust and respect our constituents have in all of us by continuing to refuse to move forward in our democratic process.

“It is a shame that the minority party continues to force Hoosier voices into deafening silence. Indiana needs us to get back to work.”

The House was adjourned until 9 a.m. Thursday.