It looks like Indiana Democrats are sending out mixed signals over the passage of “right to work” legislation which could be a forecast of things to come in the upcoming 2012 races. Shortly after RTW’s passage and signage into law, House Democratic Leader Pat Bauer put out the following statement… “There is no cause to […]

Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma says if Democrats don’t show up for work at 9 a.m. Wednesday, he will start levying $1,000 a day fines.  Democrats say they have no intention of paying. The fines are the result of a tumultuous afternoon at the Statehouse where Democrats refused to come back from an afternoon caucus […]

Don’t be surprised if you wake up on March 15th (the same days as the Ides of March, ironically) and find yourself in the 23rd “Right to Work” (RTW) state in the country.   RTW for Indiana is inevitable.  A full House vote is coming, and RTW will pass.  It won’t be a sweeping majority, I […]

I was recently chatting with a buddy of mine from my graduate school days at the University of Illinois.  We were joking about the times we would go out, try to pick up a young lady or two, and just before we were about to seal the deal, then someone would overreach by asking her […]

Although “right to work” dominated the talk around the State House Monday, Democratic Leader Pat Bauer got my attention when he unveiled the Democrats’ ‘Helping Hoosiers Now” plan.  The plan hits the usual Democratic themes of jobs, education and child protection services.  However what stopped me in my tracks was Bauer calling for vouchers for […]

Indiana Statehouse Republicans Monday threw down the political gauntlet and said they were bringing “right to work” legislation to a vote and making it a priority this session. Democrats, as expected cried foul and said they will do whatever is necessary to stop the measure. Brian Bosma and David Long say they’re ready for Pat […]

Indiana lawmakers are expected to take up the new legislative maps today, however House Democrats are asking for more time to review them.   In a letter to House Speaker Brian Bosma and Elections Committee Chairman State Representative Eric Koch, Democratic leader Pat Bauer and Ranking Member John Bartlett say today’s committee hearing and vote should […]

Here’s the latest gossip, rumor and innuendo coming from the Capitol.  Do with it what you will… There’s a lot of speculation about what happened in the impromptu meeting Wednesday afternoon between House Speaker Brian Bosma and Democratic leader Pat Bauer.   Bauer was in town for a “personnel issue” that involved the four legislative leaders […]

Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma says his caucus’ patience with absentee Democrats is wearing thin. I frankly don’t blame him.  Democrats have been gone since February 21.  Their absence has cost the taxpayers of Indiana more than $368,000 in lost productivity.  Their list of demands has gone from one to 11 to four to three […]

The saga that is Indiana’s political scene continues to play itself out.  Here’s today’s assessment of events… House Democrats are entering into their fourth week of self-imposed exile.  A number of us in the media think they will return this week, although it won’t be Tuesday.  There are some positive signs; more talks on “procedural” issues […]