Judge Orders Democrats' Pay Can't Be Seized

(Indianapolis, Ind.) - Marion County Judge David Dreyer has issued a restraining order blocking the state from seizing $1,000 a day in fines levied on three House Democrats. 

The fines are being issued by majority Republicans for the Democrats skipping sessions in protest of right to work legislation. 

Dreyer's order does not, however, block the state from withholding the paychecks of lawmakers to collect the fines. 

So far, only three Democrats are included in the restraining order:  Representatives Vanessa Summers and Bill Crawford of Indianapolis and Shelli VanDenburgh of Crown Point. 

On Thursday, 35 of the 40 House Democrats were still participating in the holdout which has stalled most days of the 2012 session which began January 4. It was the second day of fines, bringing the total to $2,000.

Although five Democrats did appear on the House floor Thursday, that still left the House two lawmakers short of a quorum necessary to vote on a controversial right to work bill, or any other legislation.

Indiana’s Senate had been waiting on House action on right to work, but Senate President Pro Tem David Long said Thursday there will be a vote on the Senate version of the bill next week.

LINKS:

Dems Continue Hold Out, Caucus In Rotunda