Tensions flare between state leaders as boycott continues

The Republican and Democratic leaders of the Indiana House had a tense 10-minute exchange on the House floor Friday morning over whether Democratic leaders will end their boycott over the right-to-work bill.

Republican Speaker Brian Bosma tried unsuccessfully to convene a House session that was skipped by most Democrats.

Minority Leader Patrick Bauer took to the floor microphone, saying he had filed a new proposal calling for a statewide voter referendum on the right-to-work issue. He pressed for an agreement that the referendum wouldn't be regarded as unconstitutional.

Bosma replied he couldn't guarantee it was constitutional, but assured Bauer that the House would vote on the proposal if Democrats returned.

Bosma asked Bauer as he was leaving whether the Democrats would return later Friday morning. "We'll see" was Bauer's response.

Bauer returned to the floor later in the morning to say his boycotting members are willing to return at "high noon" Monday to begin debating the right-to-work bill.

He said Democrats will work over the weekend to remove a cloud of unconstitutionality over their proposal for a statewide referendum on the bill.