Legislators put a hold on gay marriage discussion

INDIANAPOLIS -- Partisan tensions over a proposed gay-marriage ban subsided in the House on Tuesday, and both parties went to work on other legislation, sending several bills to Gov. Joe Kernan's desk.\n"We're back here doing the work of the people," said Republican Minority Leader Brian Bosma of Indianapolis. He said it was still possible, however, Republicans would try again to raise floor debate on a proposed state constitutional ban on gay marriage.\nLegislative leaders have set a midnight Thursday deadline to adjourn the session, but a partisan fight over the proposal and procedural matters in the House prevented or severely curtailed action on other legislation for several days.\nAfter Republicans met privately Tuesday afternoon, they returned to the floor, and with bipartisan support, the chamber gave final legislative approval to several bills.\nThey dealt with such things as combatting the use and manufacture of methamphetamine and increasing penalties for neglect resulting in the death of young children. Other bills pending approval would change the state's curfew law in order to meet a federal court ruling and toughen drunk driving penalties.\nRep. Matt Whetstone, R-Brownsburg, said Republicans had made their support for a constitutional gay-marriage ban clear and were ready to work on other matters.\nBut he said many still believe Democratic Speaker Patrick Bauer ran roughshod over House rules and the state constitution in turning back every attempt they made to advance or debate the proposal.\n"I don't think there is any remedy he can take in the next three days to convince us that what he has done is not terribly important," Whetstone said.\nBauer has said a state law banning gay marriage is sufficient and accused Republicans of election-year grandstanding. He also says he has acted within his authority as speaker in running the chamber and denying a vote on the issue.\nRepublicans walked out several times last week after Bauer turned back every attempt they made to advance or debate a constitutional ban on gay marriage. At times, Bauer refused to even acknowledge the presence of GOP lawmakers.\nInstead of walking out Monday, Republicans objected when Democrats adjourned the House for the evening. While most Democrats left, Republicans stayed, speaking in favor of the proposal and accusing Democrats of stifling their rights as elected representatives.\nTalking about the issue openly on the House floor was therapeutic to some of his caucus members, Bosma said.\n"Even though there were only four or five Democrats on the floor, it made me feel better," Bosma said.