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The first day of the Indiana legislative session has begun with sparks flying in the House, where minority Democrats made procedural objections in an effort to derail so-called right-to-work legislation.
The opening day of the session typically consists of handshakes and pledges by Republicans and Democrats to work together. But a skirmish over the rules began on Wednesday minutes after lawmakers said the Pledge of Allegiance.
Democrats wanted the chance to immediately reject legislation that would prevent workers from being required to pay union dues. Republican House Speaker Brian Bosma ruled against Democrats, so the legislation will move to a committee for a possible hearing.
The right-to-work issue is so potentially divisive that Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels has said he would prefer to avoid it to focus on other issues.
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