Run! Now Indiana House Dems Flee State to Block Anti-Union Legislation

If you're a politician and you want to block legislation that would crack down on union power in your state, apparently there's a new way to do just that, and it's gaining popularity. In a word: Run!

That's what Democratic senators in Wisconsin did last week when they fled to Illinois, and now it's what Democratic House members in Indiana did today. The Indianapolis Star reports:

House Democrats are leaving the state rather than vote on anti-union legislation, The Indianapolis Star has learned.

A source said Democrats are headed to Illinois, though it was possible some also might go to Kentucky. They need to go to a state with a Democratic governor to avoid being taken into police custody and returned to Indiana.

The House was came into session this morning, with only two of the 40 Democrats present. Those two were needed to make a motion, and a seconding motion, for any procedural steps Democrats would want to take to ensure Republicans don’t do anything official without quorum.

With only 58 legislators present, there was no quorum present to do business. The House needs 67 of its members to be present.

Rep. Terri Austin, D-Anderson, told House Speaker Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis, that Democrats “continue to be in caucus” to discuss potential amendments to several bills.

Bosma said he was “flummoxed,” adjoured until noon, and labor union members watching in the gallery and hallway outside cheered the work stoppage.

According to the Star, Democrats are upset about a bill that "would bar unions and companies from negotiating a contract that requires non-union members to kick-in fees for representation."