Indiana

The Stalemate Continues

By Abdul Hakim-Shabazz

Another day of no quorum at the Indiana House of Representatives.  Only two absentee Democrats showed today, State Representatives Terry Goodin and Peggy Welsh.  Democratic State Representative Steve Stemler did not participate in the walkout.

When asked whether they woould be back anytime soon, Goodin said they would stay gone for as long as it takes, even if it went past the April 30 adjournment date.  However, he also said that if the government shutdown because lawmakers failed to past a budget, the Republicans were to blame for not negotiating.

Goodin also says that although “right to work” legislation has been taken off the table, similar language still exits in other bills which he says are just as detrimental to working families.   He says Democrats would come back tomorrow if Republicans were willing to negotiate.

I’ve embedded Goodin’s entire remarks below as well as those from House Speaker Brian Bosma,  Lawmakers are scheduled to reconvene and do another quorum call at 3:30 p.m.

Terry Goodin

Brian Bosma

And in case you were wondering, there won’t likely be any lawmakers here Thursday or Friday because of the Big Ten Tournament.  The hotel rooms are all booked and lawmakers get kicked out.  And yes, Democrats who did not show up today were fined $250.00.

Full post as published by Indiana Barrister on March 07, 2011 (boomark / email).