Gov. Mitch Daniels signed right-to-work legislation into law yesterday, solidifying Indiana as the 23rd right-to-work state. Once Democrats in the House ended their boycott and gave Republicans a quorum, it was smooth sailing. Despite the noisy protestors, the Senate passed the legislation Wednesday and Daniels signed it almost immediately. The Band-Aid approach was hoped to quiet the protestors before the Super Bowl on February 5. The tactic could be working, since an AFL-CIO spokesman confirmed that no large protests are planned for Sunday.
Much to the dismay of Big Labor, Indiana’s success has sparked hopeful chatter in several other states. The victory marked the first time a right-to-work law has passed in more than a decade and the first time in traditionally union heavy “rust-belt” states.
Michigan is a state many are watching for signs of right-to-work support, even though Gov. Rick Snyder has called it too divisive. Michigan State Sen. Colbeck showed his support for the legislation saying, “It’s good for Indiana and bad for [non-right-to-work neighbor] Michigan, but at least some of our working youths will have shorter drives now when they come back to visit Michigan for the holidays.” House Speaker Jase Bolger also supports a right-to-work debate declaring it isn’t something that should be feared or run from.
