Judge blocks fines against House boycotters

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INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A judge has blocked the collection of $1,000-a-day fines against Indiana House Democrats boycotting the House to block action on a contentious right-to-work bill.

Marion County Judge David Dreyer issued a temporary injunction Thursday blocking House leadership from deducting fines from the paychecks of three Democratic representatives. A court hearing is scheduled for Jan. 27.

The injunction covers Democrats Shelli VanDenburgh of Crown Point and Vanessa Summers of Indianapolis, who filed a lawsuit after majority Republicans voted Wednesday to start imposing the fines. It also covers Bill Crawford of Indianapolis, who sued over the collection of smaller fines from last year’s boycott.

Other boycotters including Democratic House Minority Leader Patrick Bauer expect to join the suit.

Republican leaders maintain the fines are legal.