Bauer returns from Ill. to voice concern for pending legislation

More than 100 protesters gathered in the Indiana Statehouse on Wednesday holding signs that read “Stop the War on Workers,” while applauding House Minority Leader Pat Bauer, D-South Bend, who has been in exile in Illinois with his Democratic colleagues for the past week.

Bauer’s Democratic colleagues remained in Urbana, Ill., to prevent Speaker of the House Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis, from conducting business because of denied quorum. However, the minority leader was there to meet with Bosma to discuss party
differences in pending legislation.

“We need you. The nation needs us,” Bauer said. “Thank you for showing support for my members.”

“We are the workers!” cried out one of the protesters. “Thank you, Pat!” yelled another. 

Once the crowd began to dissipate, Rep. Steve Stemler, D-Jeffersonville, one of the few House Democrats to stay behind in Indianapolis, shared his thoughts about his party in exile and the “right to work” legislation.

On the evening of Feb. 21, Stemler said he met with Bauer and Democratic Caucus Chair Rep. Dale Grubb, D-Covington. During the meeting, the three House members planned a 9 a.m. caucus meeting for the following day.

When Stemler arrived for the meeting Tuesday, he said he was informed it was canceled and given no further instructions.

“I started hearing rumors from people, reporters, that they (the House Democrats) went to Illinois,” Stemler said. “I didn’t know what they were talking about.”

Stemler said he is uncertain as to whether or not his colleagues planned to leave some members behind as a strategic maneuver.

According to the Indiana Constitution, “two-thirds of each House shall constitute a quorum to do business.”

To make sure House Republicans do not do anything official without two-thirds of representatives present, a House Democrat is needed to make a motion for a quorum call — a roll call.

Once the speaker notes there are not enough members in attendance to conduct business, the House goes into recess until the next session. This is what has been happening during every session since the House Democrats’ exodus last Tuesday.

A lack of productivity has been the concern of those opposed to the House Democrats’ maneuvers. The day after their departure, Gov. Mitch Daniels issued a statement condemning the representatives’ actions.

“You don’t walk off the job, take your public paycheck with you and attempt to bring the whole process to a screeching halt,” Daniels said.

That afternoon, the governor retracted his previous statement.

“Even the smallest minority has every right to express the strength of its views, and I salute those who did,” Daniels said.

Stemler also defended his party’s actions.

“When you are in the minority you have very few options to influence legislation,” Stemler said. “This is an option to slow the legislative process down to allow for closer look at what these bills consist of.”

He insisted that despite their absence from the Statehouse, his colleagues are working on amendments and he has remained in contact with them.

Because the House did not have a quorum, Stemler said the committee report for the “right to work” bill was not accepted in the limited time and thus died.

However, opponents of the anti-union legislation are not in the clear yet.

“The concern that we have is that there are other bills that are out there still that deal with labor issues,” Stemler said. “The language of the original ‘right to work’ bill could be admitted into another bill that is germane to it.”

Stemler said he is confident in his decision to stay in Indianapolis.

“The reason why I stayed — it was never about not supporting our caucus — I’ve always been a strong supporter in our caucus’s position to protect labor and education as well,” Stemler said. “My staying is not an endorsement of the majority, nor is my staying a rejection of the Democrats — but solely based on respect for the institution for the House of Representatives and the oath of office I took.”