February 22nd, 2011
02:54 PM ET

Indiana lawmakers boycott union-rights bill

The vast majority of Democrats in the Indiana House have stayed away from the statehouse Tuesday, effectively blocking a Republican-supported bill that would reduce private-sector union rights.

Republicans - who make up 60 of 100 House seats - lacked the two-thirds majority needed for a quorum. Sixty-three lawmakers attended.

Democratic state senators in Wisconsin similarly boycotted their legislature last week to prevent a quorum from passing a budget bill that would increase the costs of benefits to public employees and curb their collective bargaining rights.

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soundoff (32 Responses)
  1. mrs sippy

    im doin great and this all goin down pretty good ahh! What a breath of fresh air! Ask not what your country can do for you...

    February 22, 2011 at 11:34 pm | Report abuse |
    • Mmmmm

      ...and she enjoys bragging about it!
      ...her caveman quest...

      February 24, 2011 at 11:29 pm | Report abuse |
  2. gonzamunz

    You guys should stop complaining because, one the health care we have now isnt as good as it was supposed to be. also the law has just been signed so give it some time. so if u want to say u have the right to choose tell that to ur congress men or state official. If you do not have insurance and need one You can find full medical coverage at the lowest price search online for "Wise Health Insurance" If you have health insurance and do not care about cost just be happy about it and trust me you are not going to loose anything!

    February 23, 2011 at 12:29 am | Report abuse |
  3. Bill

    I recently came across my new favorite shirt sharing the same "Kill The Bill" sentiment. Wearing mine proudly to spread the message far beyond the rallies.
    http://www.cafepress.com/AntiWalker.509867574

    February 23, 2011 at 12:47 am | Report abuse |
  4. Aristocles

    I'm torn between admiration for the politicians who want to save the unions, and by disgust that they would literally abandon their state in this hour of need. This will NOT reflect well on the Democrats in the next election, if they are literally the party of cut-and-run.

    February 23, 2011 at 1:46 am | Report abuse |
  5. duke

    You people still don't understand?
    Look this is just divide and conquer politics,
    It's design is to get away with things that the people on a whole would reject!
    For instance,if half of the people are backing the unions now,what about the other half??
    I mean the opposition to the unions must have funds going to programs that they need/enjoy and when its time to tinker with those benefits they'll only have half of the peoples support ie(keep your government out of my medicare).
    To the tea-drinkers!
    You are being used,and although I never kick a man when he's down,
    That is exactly what I will be doing to tea-drinkers when their time has come.

    February 23, 2011 at 8:22 am | Report abuse |
  6. duke

    This is the business community having their lobbyist and paid lawmakers going after more profit!
    Basically if you love your boss and his making 1000times more than the average worker,then you are going to love this bill and the laws that big business is going to get passed in their favor!

    February 23, 2011 at 8:39 am | Report abuse |
  7. duke

    If 2 percent of the populace control 25 percent of the wealth how can there be a even and just balance??
    How can you control debt if the rich are allowed to remove as much of the wealth as they want from the system??
    You people should snap out of it before the problems of the middle east come knocking at your door,and your heroic politician will be in his gated community surrounded by their security that your tax funds payed.

    February 23, 2011 at 8:46 am | Report abuse |
  8. JesusChristSuperFraud

    @sippy: I'm probably one of the most patriotic people I know and of course the citizen must contribute his/her fair share to America, but the current relationship is abusive. Our government thinks we're just supposed to shut up, know our place and have dinner on the table for them while we get what's left over. The government is not our (p) imp whom dictates how much we get to keep after we're the ones doing all the work. If you're content then I'd like some of what you're smoking.

    February 23, 2011 at 9:05 am | Report abuse |
    • Mmmmm

      Phil please take off the costume when you address us...

      February 24, 2011 at 11:32 pm | Report abuse |
  9. banasy

    Exactly. And if you think that it's only the teacher's unions big business and the Government is going after, think again. It's not about the benefits, per say. Union leaders are not stupid, they know the economy. They concede a lot! What the GOP (and it is *always* the GOP) wants to do is take away any right to have a say in a worker's rights!
    So, for instance, if your company wants to cut your pay by 50% because they want to keep their. Stockholders happy, you just sit back and say "OK", right? If they want to make you work 12 hour days, you say ok. And puhleeze don't say that there are laws preventing this; how long until *those* go out the window? They're trying to change laws now; aren't they?
    Think, people, think. They're going to try in Ohio next.
    And the Dems too off to prevent a quorum, they were not running away. That will bode *very* well in the next elections, when voters see that the Dems were trying to protect what they already have, and not sell out to the highest bidder! Yeesh!

    February 23, 2011 at 9:58 am | Report abuse |
    • Mmmmm

      Give the democratic walk-out is a heroes welcome for defense of the American worker. You evil
      repub-retards are showing your true colors. Just wanna let you know goober-walker with your croonies the voters' lever will enjoy ousting your corrupt donkey a--zzez!

      February 24, 2011 at 11:25 pm | Report abuse |
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