Dems again absent from Statehouse floor

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Indiana House Democrats face a second round of $1,000 fines after walking out again Thursday to demonstrate their opposition to right-to-work legislation.

Only five Democrats were on the Indiana House floor Thursday morning when Speaker of the House Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis, took roll call. In all, 63 lawmakers were present, which is not enough to conduct business.

Union members, who continue to demonstrate in opposition to right-to-work, chanted “power to the people” as the walkout continued.

Bosma again tried to gavel the legislators into session for a second time at 11:30 a.m. Thursday without success. As a result, members present voted to fine the missing Democrats.

Democrat minority leader Pat Bauer, D-South Bend, told the media Thursday that his party will continue to meet in caucus until they finish an amendment to the bill that would require the public to vote in a referendum before the law would take effect.

A previous attempt at a similar amendment was abandoned after a non-profit group challenged its constitutionality,

On Wednesday, House members approved imposing $1,000-a-day fines on absent Democrats, who didn’t show for two roll call attempts.

Democrats oppose a Republican-backed right-to-work bill. They plan to fight the fines in court.