Democrats vacate statehouse to block collective bargaining bill

In an effort identical to that of Wisconsin Democrats last week, Indiana Democrats in the statehouse have vacated the capital to halt the voting process.

The legislation to be voted on would end collective bargaining rights for labor unions.
News sources and bloggers have speculated that the absent Democrats have fled to Illinois or Kentucky to prevent compulsion to return to the statehouse.

At 3:15 p.m. Tuesday Gov. Mitch Daniels commented on the absent legislators.

Gov. Daniels said he believes the Democrats will return if the right-to-work legislation is held. He repeatedly suggested that House Speaker Brian Bosma should not force legislators to vote on this bill now.

“I thought there was a better time and place to have this very important and legitimate issue raised,” Daniels said.

Check tomorrow’s print edition and idsnews.com for the full story.