INDIANAPOLIS -
It was an eventful day at the Indiana Statehouse Friday. Much was done and much was left undone.
A Senate committee passed "right to work" legislation 6-4. It is now headed to the full Indiana Senate for action. The House remains a house of inaction. Once again, Democrats elected not to show for quorum call, although there were a few notable exceptions.
Meantime, the NFL players union is jumping into the debate as a committee of lawmakers endorses the plan.
The NFLPA says wages will fall if Indiana becomes a "right to work" state. Part of the statement from the NFLPA reads, "'Right-to-work' is a political ploy designed to destroy basic workers' rights. It's not about jobs or rights, and it's the wrong priority for Indiana."
The Senate labor committee voted 6-4 to send the bill to the full Senate, where the GOP holds a 37-13 majority and the party's leader has made its passage a top priority. The bill would prohibit contracts between companies and unions that require workers to pay representation fees.
Republican Sen. Brent Waltz of Greenwood joined the committee's three Democrats in voting against the bill. During testimony, Waltz question experts who back the proposal, saying he is not convinced of the measure's economic benefits.
The Senate vote came after six hours of debate.
"Do you consider this a union busting bill? Do you think it is the first step in a downward spiral for unions in Indiana?" asked one lawmaker.
"Not at all. I think this provides for the first time the ability for unions to make the case to workers as to why they are needed. This can strengthen unions and we have seen it in other states that they have become right to work states. What is wrong with forcing somebody to prove their product works?" said Sen. Carlin Yoder (R-Middlebury).
Experts lined up on both sides of the issue.
"In the first six months after Oklahoma passed right to work the state went from 40th to first in job creation," said Fred Morgan, Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce.
"We cannot compete in the global marketplace. Our ten counties in northeastern Indiana is fighting for the right to be relevant in the global community," said John Sampson, Fort Wayne.
Not all the experts were in favor.
"What the Chamber did not tell the public was its own numbers, when you look at not the average of all 22 states which is driven by a few high-performing states, but the actual 50 state by state numbers, showed no pattern whatsoever and no relationship whatsoever of economic growth and right to work. The chamber's own numbers showed four of the five fastest growing states that they looked at were non-right-to-work states and Indiana grew 25 percent faster than its closest right to work neighbor, Iowa," said Gordon Lafer, Oregon University.
The NFLPA's denunciation of the bill seemed to energize the union base, but economist Dr. Morton Marcus dismissed the union's argument that the upcoming Super Bowl in Indianapolis was a significant factor in the debate.
"I don't believe that the Super Bowl has any bearing on this. I don't think the NFL workers have any bearing on this. It didn't keep them from going to Dallas last year. It won't keep them from going wherever they are going next year. It's just a nice feather in the cap for the union side," said Marcus.
Nancy Guyott, AFL-CIO state president said the union appreciated the NFLPA's gesture, but that the focus was on stopping the bill.
"We don't want this to pass. We are happy to dispense with it sooner or later but this is bad for Hoosiers and we want to stop this bill," she said.
When asked if the union planned on any kind of action during the Super Bowl if the debate continued, she said, "I can't tell you what will happen in the future. It is a significant letter of support. We appreciate the solidarity from our brothers and sisters who will be playing in that game and we look forward to defeating this bill."
House Democrats missed another quorum call on Friday, marking the third consecutive day lawmakers in the House were unable to conduct business.
House Democrats face fines
Speaker Brian Bosma will be turning his attention to fines. He can fine Democrats $1,000 for every day they miss.
Democrats are holding three town hall meetings on "right to work" this weekend, in Fort Wayne, Gary and Evansville. There is no word on whether they will show up for session on Monday.
However, the number of Democrats showing up is starting to increase. On Friday, it increased by an important one. Democrat caucus chairman Dale Grubb, who is very well respected, resigned that position so he could take to the floor and ultimately the microphone.
"What I want to say, Mr. Speaker, with all due respect, and I know there are many constraints and pressures on everyone, especially you, that we have to ensure there is adequate time - and I respect your opinion, Rep. Espich, I can assure you I know what the extremes are. I know that putting the bill out today, seconds on Monday and thirds on Tuesday was too darn fast and too expedient. I also know the last day of session is too darn late but there has to be some middle ground," said Rep. Grubb (D-Covington).
Rep. Grubb has served in the Indiana House for 24 years. His decision to speak out Friday may be the latest indication of a possible thaw in the stalemate that once again threatens the legislative session.
