Ind. Dems ponder return in right-to-work battle

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_INDIANA_RIGHT_TO_WORK?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2012-01-25-10-27-51

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Democrats who have been boycotting the Indiana House in a battle over right-to-work legislation could each face a $5,000 fine if they stay away another day.

Most House Democrats have been missing since the start of the 2012 session to deny Republicans a quorum to vote on plans to make Indiana the 23rd state that bans unions from collecting mandatory representation fees.

Republicans imposed a $1,000 daily fine for boycotting Democrats last week and Wednesday would mark the fifth day of the boycott since the fine has been imposed.

Republican House Speaker Brian Bosma says he and Minority Leader Patrick Bauer haven't talked since Monday. Bauer wouldn't say Tuesday what it will take for Democrats to return.

The right-to-work bill has cleared the Senate but has stalled in the House.