Indiana Democrats Protest Jobs Bill by Calling in Sick
Taking a page out of the official Wisconsin congressman playbook, Indiana Democrats are now fighting a labor bill by staying home.
The Republican supported anti-union labor bill is much in the same vein of what we saw in Wisconsin a short time ago, and Indiana Democrats are protesting it by skipping out entirely. Most opted out of floor sessions twice yesterday, and without 67 members present, the state House is stuck with a bill going lukewarm, unable to advance its agenda.
The bill itself is a cog in the machine Republicans are building to make Indiana a “right-to-work” state, the goal of which is to prevent workers from being forced into unions and bringing more jobs to the state, according to them. In contrast, Democrats are saying the bill will cut employee pay after all is said and voted in.
Democrats are personally facing fines with price tags of $4000 each as they delay the bill by staying home. In the words of one Indiana Dem, “We don’t have enough votes to govern the chamber, but we have enough votes to govern the timetable of what work is done.”
As far as today is concerned, Democrats aren’t sure whether or not they’ll ultimately show. After the House vote, Senate passage is likely to follow. Despite an almost certain win, Republicans are still frustrated with the AWOL-Democrats, with one saying: “We shouldn’t have to strong-arm people or say pretty please for them to do the job they were hired to do.”
I ask you, left-or-right-leaning reader, is this the way to do things in state politics or are you frustrated that your tax dollars are funding these impromptu vacations?
Tags : anti-union labor bill, indiana democrats, indiana democrats stay home, Indiana house of representatives, indiana lawmakers, Indiana senate, Jobs Bill
Posted: January 25, 2012
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Jan 25, 2012
Actually, I don't think they are calling in 'sick' but that's beside the point. The fact remains is that they are not showing up to do the job they were elected to do. No, my tax dollars should not be going to pay these people to take their little vacations.
Jan 25, 2012
PAID vacations, no doubt, of the "Chosen Few"!
Jan 25, 2012
I don't think they are "vacations". I think it is the only way they have to show their strong feelings as the republicans rule right now. To them, they ARE doing their jobs. Right or wrong and if they might have to pay $4000 fines personally, they must feel rather strongly.
Jan 25, 2012
Don't blame them! The Reps aren't listening and giving a chance! The reps and gov is pushing something that needs more time to study results from other states! People in other states have stated the RTW is wrong! Dems are for the people! How would you like if you had a good agenda, and everytime you brought it up the reps shot it down? True the dems should stay and fight! But they can't fight if the reps won't listen! Have a feeling this is going to get ugly!
Jan 25, 2012
Please these democrats are loser at best. Do you job and show up. They are cry babies had the democrats when they were in control not bankrupt the state this would not have happened.
Jan 25, 2012
Put it to the people to vote on.
Jan 25, 2012
They only thing I do not like about this type of action is that if we as joe blow did this in our jobs we could get fired. I wish there was another way they coud get their point across.
Jan 25, 2012
It's not a vacation; it's a political/legislative tactic and a good one at that.
Jan 25, 2012
They sure rushed Obama care, dem didnt want the people to vote on that.
Jan 26, 2012
James Hanavan rushed? They held hearings for months on end with republican's contributing nothing, it took over 18 months of legislative work the only thing that republicans contributed was NO.