Indiana House standstill poised to enter 2nd week

INDIANAPOLIS — The standstill in the Indiana House over the Republican-backed right-to-work bill could enter its second week if most Democratic members continue their absence despite the threat of hefty fines.

Republican House Speaker Brian Bosma plans a new attempt Monday afternoon to gavel the House into order. Its 2012 session was to have started Wednesday, but most Democrats have been gathered in a Statehouse conference room, leaving the chamber with too few members to conduct business.

Democratic leader Patrick Bauer said Friday that it was possible all of his party’s 40 members could return to the House floor on Monday, but didn’t give a firm commitment.

Bosma hasn’t yet taken action toward imposing $1,000-a-day fines on the boycotting members that were passed into law last year.