House Democrats boyott again

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Updated: February 12, 2012 8:11AM

INDIANAPOLIS — A contentious committee meeting earlier on Tuesday led a majority of House Democrats hours later to once again boycott the floor.

The move stalled business of the full House for the fourth time this session of the Indiana General Assembly.

House Democratic Leader Pat Bauer will file a formal protest contending that the committee failed to conduct a formal hearing on right-to-work legislation. Bauer called the meeting a “flagrant” violation of House rules and the state constitution because the public was not allowed to speak. Committee members voted along party lines to pass right-to-work legislation onto the full House. 

“We showed that we had to take a time-out again,” Bauer said of Tuesday’s decision to prevent quorum.

Yet, House Speaker Brian Bosma maintained that the chairman of the House’s labor committee complied with the rules and did what he felt was appropriate for the committee.

“I guess I’m not shocked they’re not here, but I’m certainly disappointed,” Bosma said.

Democrats were upset at the committee meeting because House Employment, Labor and Pensions Committee Chairman state Rep. Doug Gutwein, R-Francesville, didn’t entertain amendments. Bosma said that practice wasn’t atypical.

House leadership made it clear that last week’s joint hearing covered the House’s right-to-work bill, Bosma said. At the hearing of the House and Senate labor committee, Senate committee members passed their version of the bill. Bosma said the committee chairmen allowed everyone who wanted to speak on the legislation the right to voice their position.

Democrats say they will decide on a day-to-day basis on whether to attend House sessions.