GOP member worries about voucher bill

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - The school voucher bill that would give disadvantaged students state scholarships to attend private schools is one source of the ongoing Democratic walkout in the Indiana House of Representatives, but there is some new bi-partisan concern about the bill.

State Senator Brent Steele (R-Bedford) is an opponent of the school voucher bill and this week he sent a letter to every state lawmaker spelling out his opposition.

"I just think it's a crazy place for us to go," said Sen. Steele.

Steele says in the letter that the bill could mean that taxpayer money would go to a school operated by the Westboro Baptist Church, the church that holds vulgar demonstrations at veteran's funerals.

"Once you start letting tax dollars go out to religious schools," says Steele, "you can't make a determination which is the best religion or what is a proper religion."

His message comes at a time when Republicans are pleading with Democrats to come vote on the voucher bill.

"They're on strike," says House Speaker Brian Bosma. "They're costing taxpayers and Hoosier families every day. They need to get back here to work."

And Democrats are demanding concessions from a hotel in Illinois.

"Bosma sort of says it's our way or the highway," says Rep. Craig Fry (D-Mishawaka). "And we're just off 74."

The voucher bill is the governor's proposal. Mitch Daniels reacted strongly about Steele’s letter.

"I think his fears are misguided, but he's entitled to his opinion," said Daniels. "He's dead wrong but at least he's doing what he ought to, expressing his thoughts inside the process."

Meanwhile, Republicans failed twice today in the effort to establish a quorum. The House Speaker says the Republicans have not decided if they will begin conducting hearings on Senate bills in the absence of the Democrats.

They have also not decided if they will change rules to extend deadlines for a third time to avoid killing 47 bills. Look for that decision on Wednesday.