Feb 22 Local News Indiana Lawmaker Stands By Criticism of Girl Scouts Undaunted by a day of ridicule from the leader of his own party, an Indiana state lawmaker said yesterday he’s standing by his allegations that the Girl Scouts is a radical organization that promotes abortions and homosexuality. Both the scouts and Planned Parenthood dismissed Rep. Bob Morris’ comments as absurd, as did Republican House Speaker […] By Rick Howlett Feb 22 Local News Indiana Lawmaker Stands By Criticism of Girl Scouts Rick Howlett
Jan 18 Local News GOP Imposes Fines on Boycotting Indiana House Democrats Boycotting Indiana House Democrats are now facing fines of $1,000 per day for skipping legislative business over a labor bill pushed by the Republican majority. Most Democrats did not show up for two quorum calls this morning, prompting Republicans to impose the fines. The Democrats want the House to call for a referendum on the […] By Rick Howlett Jan 18 Local News GOP Imposes Fines on Boycotting Indiana House Democrats Rick Howlett
Jan 17 Local News Indiana House Democrats Again Delay Action On “Right-to-Work” Bill Democrats in the Indiana House are again delaying a action on a controversial “right-to-work” measure pushed by the Republican majority. The House was supposed to consider Democratic amendments to the bill today, including a proposal to allow voters to decide if the state should adopt the policy related to the collection of union dues. But […] By Rick Howlett Jan 17 Local News Indiana House Democrats Again Delay Action On “Right-to-Work” Bill Rick Howlett
Jan 16 Local News Indiana “Right-to-Work” Bill To Get Another Hearing This Week The Indiana General Assembly resumes Tuesday, with House lawmakers taking up a contentious labor bill. The Republican-led measure would prohibit unions at private companies from collecting mandatory union representation fees. The so-called “right-to-work” issue has prompted union demonstrations at the Statehouse and several days of boycotts by House Democrats. Democrats agreed to return to the […] By Rick Howlett Jan 16 Local News Indiana “Right-to-Work” Bill To Get Another Hearing This Week Rick Howlett
Jan 10 Local News Indiana House Panel Passes “Right-to-Work” Measure From the Associated Press: A panel of Indiana lawmakers has voted along party lines to move divisive right-to-work legislation to the full House of Representatives. The House Employment, Labor and Pensions Committee voted 8-5 this morning to advance a ban on contracts that require workers to pay union fees for representation. The panel’s Republican […] By Rick Howlett Jan 10 Local News Indiana House Panel Passes “Right-to-Work” Measure Rick Howlett
Jan 4 Local News Update: Democrats Delay Indiana House Session Indiana House Democrats delayed the start of their chamber’s legislative session today. Most remained behind closed doors in opposition to a so-called “right-to-work” bill being pushed by the Republican majority. The lack of a quorum forced Republican Speaker Brian Bosma to postpone the start of House business until Thursday afternoon. House Democratic leader Patrick Bauer […] By Rick Howlett Jan 4 Local News Update: Democrats Delay Indiana House Session Rick Howlett
Jan 4 Local News Democrats Delay Indiana House Session From the Associated Press Most Indiana House Democrats weren’t on the floor Wednesday when the Republican speaker tried to start the new session, after the leader of the chamber’s Democrats hinted that party lawmakers may walk out for the second year in a row to oppose a “right-to-work” bill. The absence of most Democrats left […] By Rick Howlett Jan 4 Local News Democrats Delay Indiana House Session Rick Howlett
Nov 22 Local News Indiana Legislature Holds Organizational Session Indiana lawmakers today held their organizational session in preparation for the 2012 General Assembly. Hundreds of union members chanted outside the House and Senate chambers in opposition to Republican-led legislation that would make Indiana a so-called “right-to-work” state, where workers would not be required to pay union membership fees as a condition of employment. […] By Rick Howlett Nov 22 Local News Indiana Legislature Holds Organizational Session Rick Howlett
Nov 21 Local News Indiana Lawmakers To Again Consider “Right-To-Work” Legislation The top Democrat in the Indiana House says Republicans are crushing job opportunities in the state with their push to pass a contentious “right-to-work” proposal during the coming legislative session. House Minority Leader Patrick Bauer’s comments came after Republican House Speaker Brian Bosma announced today that passing the proposal will be his top priority during […] By Rick Howlett Nov 21 Local News Indiana Lawmakers To Again Consider “Right-To-Work” Legislation Rick Howlett
Aug 24 Local News Rep. Hinkle Says Teen Robbed Him An Indiana state lawmaker now says he was robbed by an 18-year-old man after the two allegedly met for a sexual rendezvous. Republican Rep. Phil Hinkle of Indianapolis called his Aug. 6 meeting with Kameryn Gibson “stupid” but denied any wrongdoing in an interview yesterday. Gibson told The Indianapolis Star that Hinkle exposed himself when […] By Rick Howlett Aug 24 Local News Rep. Hinkle Says Teen Robbed Him Rick Howlett
Aug 23 Local News Indiana Lawmaker Under Pressure To Resign An Indiana state lawmaker says he won’t seek re-election next year following revelations that he arranged a meeting with a male escort at an Indianapolis hotel. But Republican Rep. Phil Hinkle is facing growing pressure from leaders of his own party to resign. Eighteen year old Kameryn Gibson tells the Indianapolis Star that Hinkle offered […] By Rick Howlett Aug 23 Local News Indiana Lawmaker Under Pressure To Resign Rick Howlett
Jun 27 Local News Indiana Suit Challenges Collection Of Boycott Fines A lawsuit challenging the way thousands of dollars in fines were collected from Indiana House Democrats who walked off the job early this year is awaiting a hearing in Indianapolis. Representative Bill Crawford filed the suit earlier this month. His attorney, Mark GiaQuinta, says Republican House Speaker Brian Bosma ran afoul of state law when […] By Rick Howlett Jun 27 Local News Indiana Suit Challenges Collection Of Boycott Fines Rick Howlett
Apr 28 Local News Indiana Lawmakers Reach Tentative Budget Deal Indiana legislative leaders have reached a tentative budget deal. House Speaker Brian Bosma says budget negotiators have worked out differences on major issues. They plan a budget committee meeting later today to outline details of the $28 billion plan. Republican House Ways and Means Chairman Jeff Espich says the budget will give schools slight funding […] By Rick Howlett Apr 28 Local News Indiana Lawmakers Reach Tentative Budget Deal Rick Howlett
Mar 31 Politics Bauer: No New House Boycott Planned Speculation about a second boycott swirled when Democrats met behind closed doors Thursday morning, delaying House business. Bauer said Democrats were discussing concerns raised about the lack of public testimony during committee hearings this week, but not plotting a second boycott. By Rick Howlett Mar 31 Politics Bauer: No New House Boycott Planned Rick Howlett
Mar 24 Politics Indiana House In Recess Until Monday; Boycott Continues Democratic Leader Patrick Bauer and Republican House Speaker Brian Bosma both sounded hopeful that the impasse was near an end after meeting behind closed doors Wednesday. But they have still not reached agreement on the final sticking point of the stalemate: a bill dealing with labor union participation on certain government construction projects. By Rick Howlett Mar 24 Politics Indiana House In Recess Until Monday; Boycott Continues Rick Howlett