Indiana GOP Moving Forward Without Dems
INDIANAPOLIS (CBS/WBBM) -- Indiana Republicans say they are fed up with the Democrats who fled the state nearly a month ago to prevent votes on education and labor-related legislation.
As WBBM Newsradio 780's Mike Krauser reports, Republicans now say they are moving ahead without the Democrats.
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The Republicans, led by House speaker Brian Bosma (R-Indianapolis) say they're done trying to negotiate with the 39 absent House Democrats.
"We're on the cusp of an historic record," Bosma said.
The record in question is for lawmakers being on the run to deny a quorum.
The Democrats are now being fined $350 a day, but one state representative one called the fee a "poke in the eye" that won't end the impasse.
So Republicans say they're moving forward without their Democratic colleagues. The state House and Senate will work on the budget together, starting next week.
"We will not allow an important agenda to be sidetracked by a few misguided individuals and those who are following them," Bosma said.
However, the House still needs two-thirds of the members to be present to get anything done.
The Democrats see the "agenda" to which Bosma refers as an attack on labor unions, and they say ending talks is arbitrary and harsh.
