Action in the Indiana House of Representatives has been stalled following a boycott by the Democratic minority.They’re unhappy about several Republican bills, especially a measure that would make Indiana a so-called,“right-to-work” state, which would disallow union membership as a condition of employment in most cases.The lack of a quorum in the House means no business can be conducted, including approval of a committee report on the right-to-work bill, which had to be done Tuesday in order for to stay alive.At least three Democrats have acknowleged that they are in Illinois. Governor Mitch Daniels said he respects their actions and won’t take action to compel them to return to the Capitol."I’m not sending the state police after anybody, I’m not going to divert a single trooper from their job of protecting the Indiana public. I trust that people’s consciences will bring them back to work," he said. The Democrats have given no indication when the full caucus will return to the House chamber. Republicans control both legislative chambers.
Rick Howlett was midday host and the host of LPM's weekly talk show, "In Conversation." He was with LPM from 2001-2023 and held many different titles, including Morning Edition host, Assignment Editor and Interim News Director. He died in August 2023. Read a remembrance of Rick here.
