Rep. VanNatter's Take on the Democrat "Walkout"
The events of the past few weeks at the Statehouse are a first in Indiana legislative history. In what is old news by now, the House Democrats have left the state in protest of what they are calling a "radical" agenda. So far, we have received mixed messages from the House Democrats on the bills that they are trying to negotiate on, and it appears that they are taking advantage of the Hoosiers that elected them.
They have requested that we negotiate with them behind closed doors. The Republican caucus has refused, and will continue to refuse their request to make backroom deals. At the beginning of this session we declared that we would have government transparency, and we intend to live up to that promise. As legislators, our job includes being able to debate contentious issues on the House floor and there is no reason that this tradition should be broken.
On Monday, the Speaker implemented a $250 dollar fine on the Democratic caucus members that are not present to conduct the state's business. In order to resume our legislative session, we need 67 representatives on the House floor. The Democrats have not taken the fines very seriously; however unlike in the past where these fines have been waived, the provisions of the fines require a majority vote in the House to eliminate them. It is not likely that the Republican members that have been here conducting the people's business will allow the House Democrats to get away with taking advantage of the people in Indiana by not doing the work they were elected to do.
The "walkout" has prevented the House from performing its constitutional duty, which is to devise a budget for the 2012/2013 fiscal year. One of our objectives this session was to devise a balanced budget to avoid the fiscal challenges that are rampant domestically. By balancing the budget, we can avoid any tax increases that could occur in the future if Indiana does not have the adequate funds to pay for vital services that Hoosiers rely on. Staying in the black financially will allow us to maintain our triple A bond rating, which will allow our state entities, such as schools and local government, to borrow money for less and save taxpayers from having to cover the interest owed on those loans.
It is very important that Democrats return to Indianapolis to complete the work that we were all elected to do. They have made their point.
Now it's time to get back to work.
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