Indiana House Still Divided Over Union Issue

(With additional reporting from the Associated Press)

House Democrats continue to stay away from the Indiana Statehouse, despite the fact their absence is now hitting their own pocketbooks.

Indiana House Majority Speaker Brian Bosma hopes to get business started Tuesday. The Republican leader didn't have any luck Monday restarting the session.

"Roll call shows 62 members present. For the beginning of the third week in a row, we fail to have a quorum for the conduct of business, much to the pleasure of the protesters," Bosma said as union organizers could be heard cheering outside the House chamber.

Bosma said the House levied $250 against each absent Democrat. About 30 or so remain in Urbana, Illinois. Fines will continue each day until they return.

Democrats are boycotting the current legislative session because of what they view as anti-union legislation proposed by the GOP.

Democratic Rep. Terry Goodin of Austin said his fellow caucus members are prepared to stay out "as long as it takes" to get Republicans to agree to changes, even if that means staying out past June 30 when the current budget expires.

Goodin says if that happens, Democrats wouldn't be to blame for shutting down the government. He says it's Bosma's responsibility to negotiate and bring back Democrats.

While the standoff inside the Indiana statehouse continues, union groups plan to continue rallying just outside. The Indiana AFL-CIO says it expects thousands of union workers to attend a "We Are Indiana" rally Thursday morning.

(Photo by Michael Puente/IPR)