Indiana

Make a Run For the Border

By Abdul Hakim-Shabazz

I have to give Indiana House Democrats credit.  If you?re going to bolt to my home state of Illinois to put the brakes on legislation that you can?t stand, head to Champaign-Urbana, IL.  Unlike their Wisconsin counterparts who hid out in Rockford, Urbana is a pretty cool place.  It?s the home of the University of Illinois and it has lots of bars, some of which allow 18-year olds as long as they?re accompanied by an adult.  You can?t get that in Rockford.  Plus Rockford smells funny.

While they?re hanging out,  I hope Democrats  take a few minutes to think about a few things.   First of all, take a good look around you and take notes on what not to do with your state government.   Secondly, as a fellow minority, I realize life in the minority can be pretty tough, especially when the other side has a 60-40 advantage.   And to be honest, right-to-work legislation really wasn?t a campaign issue so bringing the government to a halt isn?t a too farfetched idea.  However, I think this is one of those days where my Democratic friends? reach might be exceeding their grasp.

Why, you ask?  Well it would be one thing if Democrats were only protesting right-to-work legislation.  But they want guarantees that charter schools, vouchers, school accountability are also taken off the table.  And one provision that no one is discussing that Democrats really hate is one that would eliminate automatic pay withdrawal for teachers? paychecks to cover union dues.

Had they just demanded right-to-work legislation be taken off the table, they might get a concession.  House Speaker Brian Bosma has basically told Democrats to get bent saying there won?t be any concessions as a condition to restart the government.   So what?s a political pundit to do?  Just wait.  I think eventually right-to-work will be taken off the table, but the education reform legislation will stay.   And I would not be surprised if a couple pieces of legislation show up between now and the end of session which really makes the Democrats wish they would have stayed in my home state by the time it?s all said and done.

By the way, I have to go back to Illinois on Friday so if I can figure out where the Democrats are hiding out, I?ll poke my head in and say hello.  I?ll also remind them that after two days of being gone they can have their pay docked.

Full post as published by Indiana Barrister on February 23, 2011 (boomark / email).