The 2012 short session of the state legislature didn’t get off the ground yesterday as Democrats stayed behind closed doors for almost two-and-a-half hours.
The Democrats are discussing how to derail proposed right to work legislation that Governor Daniels has put forward as one of the most important pieces of legislation.
The tactic wasn’t completely unexpected as Democrats fled to Illinois last year over the same issue.
Republican State Senator Ed Charbonneau, of Valparaiso, was asked if he expected some Democrat tactics and if he expected the Democrats to hustle off to Urbana, Illinois over the issue.
“I do not see another race to Urbana,” replied Charbonneau. “It is a very volatile, very emotional, very testy issue that is going to be discussed. There’s pretty strong feelings on both sides of the issue. Is there likely to be some kind of shenanigans go on? I wouldn’t doubt it. 2012 is an election year and the potential is there for some tricky things to go on.”
Democratic Leader B. Patrick Bauer said he also doesn’t expect the Democrats to take such drastic measures as leaving the state, but he is demanding more time to study the issue of right to work before a vote on the bill is finally taken.
