Ind. Democrats face walkout fines

Last Thursday, Indiana House Republicans made a motion to fine each member of the Indiana House Democrats who remains in exile in Urbana, Ill.

“If they would have come back Monday there would have been no fine,” Republican Caucus Chairwoman Kathy Richardson said.

The fine is set at $250 a day, but the House Democrats will not be fined for their absences prior to Monday. Richardson said a letter was delivered to the Democratic House members Friday to notify them of the motion.

Indiana House Democrats Media Relations Director Jorn Schorg said the fines are a small price to pay for efforts to stop the House Republicans’ agenda.

“Members understand the implications (of the fines) but understand the implications if a radical agenda becomes law,” Schorg said.

All but several of the House Democratic members fled Indiana on Feb. 22 to prevent Speaker of the House Brian Bosma from conducting business because of denied quorum.

Last week, House Minority Leader Pat Bauer returned from Urbana, Ill., to discuss party differences with Bosma — the most promising sign of the Democratic members’ return.

Although there is still denied quorum because of the continued vacancy of the House Democrats, Richardson said a motion to compel attendance can still pass without all of the members present.

“It’s the House rules that it only takes eight members to put this in motion — to enforce their not being here,” Richardson said.  “It’s been in place for several years.”

There is still a chance that the fines may be waived with the vote of the full House upon the Democratic members’ return, but Richardson said as of now it is unlikely that will occur.

In 1991, House Democrats set a motion to fine House Republicans for walking out of session and in 1995 House Republicans did the same to House Democrats.

In both cases, neither party paid fines in the end.

“I have no idea what they are thinking,” Richardson said. “I will not be the judge on whether or not they are coming back.”