Ind. House opens debate on right-to-work vote

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana’s House of Representatives is debating the divisive right-to-work measure before possibly clearing the final hurdle.

House Democrats ended an off-and-on boycott Wednesday clearing the way for a final vote in the House. Although they have not guaranteed they will not walk out again to block the vote.

Indiana is poised to become the 23rd state to ban unions from collecting mandatory fees for representation. The Senate is poised to pass the House measure and Gov. Mitch Daniels has said he will sign it.

Rep. Jerry Torr, R-Carmel, argued that his right-to-work proposal would not lower wages or bust unions.

But union protester chants of “No right-to-work!” and “Liar!” drowned much of his testimony after Democrats opened the doors to the House chamber at the start of the debate.