Senate Democrats protest manipulation of process for “Right to Work”

State Senator Karen Tallian

Senate Democratic members of the Senate Pensions and Labor Committee did not attend a meeting of the committee on Monday morning in protest over what they called a “mockery of the legislative process.” State Senator Karen Tallian (D-Portage), Ranking Democrat on the committee, said the Democrats did not want to participate in today’s committee meeting because they felt it was an unnecessary break from the Senate’s traditional decorum.

“Our position on ‘Right to Work’ is well established, and we’ll be on the floor to vote against it on Wednesday,” Sen. Tallian said. “What we’re protesting this morning is the process by which this bill is being rammed through the legislative process for nothing more than a political statement.

“Apparently lowering wages for Hoosier workers is an emergency.”

SEN. TALLIAN: “You know, the Senate Democrats may be small in number, but we can still be the conscience of this legislature…”

Length: (00:16)

State Senator Jim Arnold

State Senator Jim Arnold (D-LaPorte), also a member of the committee, said, “If we aren’t fast-tracking ‘Right to Work,’ why are they holding this special committee hearing? If this was the traditional process, as claimed, this committee hearing would be held in just over a week from now. What’s the rush?”

The Senate typically waits to act on House bills until the Senate bill deadlines have passed. Those deadlines fall this week.

SEN. ARNOLD: “Two weeks ago I had the pleasure of standing up on the Senate floor…”

Length: (00:45)

State Senator Tim Skinner

State Senator Tim Skinner (D-Terre Haute), said, “This is a bad bill, and it’s being pushed through like an emergency when it is not. This is not how the process typically works, and we certainly don’t believe it justifies subverting the due diligence that each law should be given.”

SEN. SKINNER: “This whole process from the beginning to the end has been a sham…”

Length: (00:32)

SEN. VI SIMPSON (D-ELLETTSVILLE): “We pride ourselves in the senate to maintain and respect those traditions which are long, long standing…”

Length: (00:28)

Presumably, Republicans have pushed to get the bill through the General Assembly and on the governor’s desk before this Sunday’s Super Bowl hosted in Indianapolis.

Week in photos: At the Statehouse January 23rd – 27th

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Wapahani High School girls volleyball team recognized

State Senator Tim Lanane (D-Anderson) introduced Senate Resolution (SR) 17 during Thursday’s session, a resolution to honor the girls volleyball team of Wapahani High School, winners of the 2011 Indiana High School Association Class 2A Girls’ State Volleyball Championship. The team defeated 14-time state champion Muncie Burris High School in the Sectional tournament in November.

Members of the team and the coaching staff visited the Statehouse where they were recognized on the Senate floor for their achievement.

 

Release: Senate Democrats call rush process for ‘Right to Work’ a mockery

Emergency passage only done in hopes of avoiding embarrassment during Super Bowl

 INDIANAPOLIS—Senate Democratic Leader Vi Simpson (D-Ellettsville) released the following statement on behalf of the Senate Democratic Caucus in response to today’s announcement that the House-passed version of the contentious “Right to Work” bill, House Bill 1001, will be heard in the Senate next week.

“We learned today that the Senate Republican leadership has again changed the Senate schedule, this time to accommodate the fabricated emergency of ‘Right to Work.’ This schedule is not driven by principle or the will of the people, but by political fears that public outcry during the Super Bowl will embarrass those forcing this agenda on our state.

“This session has been a series of ‘say one thing, do another.’ First they say we will follow the traditional legislative process with this legislation, and then they push this bill through committees without amendments. They continue to say they aren’t fast-tracking ‘Right to Work,’ but then they make plans to hold a special committee hearing on Monday at 9 a.m. Senator Long had announced no session was to be held on Wednesday, February 1, and now we’re holding session on that day solely to get this bill to the governor before the Super Bowl.

“We oppose ‘Right to Work.’ We oppose yet another attack on hard-working, middle class Hoosiers. And we oppose this mockery of the legislative process.”

For more information on Sen. Simpson, her legislative agenda or other State Senate business call 1-800-382-9467 or visit www.SenateDemocrats.IN.gov.

###

Sen. Lanane honors Wapahani Girls Volleyball team

State Senator Tim Lanane (D-Anderson) honors the Wapahani Girls Volleyball team by introducing a Senate Resolution. The girls won the 2011 Indiana High School Association Class 2A Girls’ State Volleyball Championship.

Sen. Simpson relays the latest “Right to Work” legislation update

Watch state Senator Vi Simpson (D-Ellettsville) discuss the latest developments of Indiana’s “Right to Work” legislation.

Sen. Arnold details status of balanced school calendar, session

State Senator Jim Arnold (D-LaPorte) discusses his legislative agenda as the Superbowl and halfway point of the session draw near.

Mid-session review of Senate bills

Committee agendas in both chambers have been packed with bills awaiting initial hearings as lawmakers worked through mid-session committee deadlines. Senate bills not making it through the Senate committee process as of Friday, January 27, are considered dead for this session. Approved measures advance to the House and Senate floors where legislators have until Feb. 1 to vote on bills introduced in their respective chambers. Approved Senate bills will advance to the House for its consideration and House-passed initiatives will be under Senate review as of Feb. 6. Bills must pass both chambers before going to the governor for possible signature into law.

Many Senate proposals have gained committee approval and are moving through the process. This brief summary highlights some of the action taken by the Senate thus far.

Right to Work bill advances

Despite numerous objections by Senate Democrats, the Republican-controlled Indiana Senate voted 28 to 22 to approve Senate Bill (SB) 269, the controversial “Right to Work” bill. Senate Democrats argued that the legislation would be harmful to Indiana workers, working families and local economies by lowering average incomes statewide. Democrats also contended that the legislation is not necessary because of current federal protections for those who choose not to join organized labor, and that no concrete evidence has been presented indicating that the nonexistence of this policy has stifled job growth in the state. Nine Republicans voted with the 13 Democrats in the Senate in opposition to the bill. Several attempts by Democrats to amend the bill were also defeated including a proposed amendment to allow citizens to vote on the divisive issues in a public referendum. SB 269 now moves to the House for its consideration. Similar legislation, House Bill (HB) 1001, has been approved in the House.

Right to resist law enforcement unlawful entry

Following months of review in a summer study committee, legislation that would establish guidelines under which a person may lawfully use force against unlawful police entry into a person’s home has been approved by the Senate. SB 1 is in response to Barnes v. Indiana, a state Supreme Court decision handed down in 2011.  In Barnes, the Court ruled 3-2 that Indiana will not recognize the ‘Castle Doctrine,’ which is the common-law right to reasonably resist unlawful entry by police officers into a citizen’s residence. Public outcry over the ruling prompted lawmakers to review current law regarding this issue. Concerns have been expressed on how the law may be interpreted by citizens that could lead to dangerous situations for both the citizens and law enforcement officers. A Senate vote of 45-5 sent the measure to the House of Representatives for its consideration.

Hume discusses why Right to Work shouldn’t be a priority

State Senator Lindel Hume (D-Princeton) explains why the House Democrats have walked out and how the ball is in the Republican’s court to conduct the People’s business.

Sen. Tallian explains status of marijuana legislation

State Senator Karen Tallian (D-Portage) discusses legislation she filed that would decriminalize  small amounts of marijuana.