**House Democrats Leave State House!**
This is a very important week at the State House. Bills needed to pass out of the Senate by Wednesday, February 23rd or the bills would die. The Senate finished their work on bills originating in the Senate on Wednesday evening. Things are different in the House!
Democrats Stop the House From Acting on Bills!
In order for the House of Representatives to conduct business there must be at least 67 Representatives present in the House Chamber. There are 60 Republicans and 40 Democrats. This means at least 7 Democrats must be present for the House to act on legislation. Because of the Democrat walkout on Tuesday, February 22nd the House could not act on legislation. The walkout continues!
Representative Pat Bauer, the Leader of the Democrats in the House of Representatives, has traveled with the majority of his fellow Democrats to Urbana, Illinois. It is our understanding that two Democrat Representatives, including Representative Terri Austin, have stayed behind apparently to serve as a spokesman for Representative Bauer and to make and second any motions he may want them to make.
Representative Steve Stemler Did Not Join The Walkout!
Representative Steve Stemler, a Democrat from Jeffersonville, did not go to Urbana with the other Democrat Representatives. He has chosen instead to stay at the State House and do the job he was elected to do. Representative Stemler is to be commended!
Bills Pass Committee, But Do Not Move Forward!
The rules in the House require a bill that is heard in a committee and that receives a favorable vote to have the committee report adopted by the House of Representatives. Tuesday, February 22nd was the deadline for committee reports to be adopted by the House. Because of the Democrat walkout, over 20 bills that had received a favorable vote in committee after public testimony died because the committee report could not be adopted! Among these bills was House Bill 1205 which would have cut off taxpayer money to organizations that perform abortions!
Late breaking news: There may be another attempt next week to adopt the committee reports!
25 Bills Could Die on the Floor of the House!
There are an additional 25 bills that are awaiting action on the floor of the House on second reading. This is the step in the legislative process where bills could be amended with a simple majority. One of the bills that has not been voted on yet on second reading is House Bill 1003 which would create choice scholarships to help children go to the school their parents want them to attend, including a Christian school. Another bill awaiting action on second reading is House Bill 1210 which is a major pro-life bill that would revise Indiana’s informed consent for abortion law and block abortions after 20 weeks except to save the life of the mother.
24 More Bills on Third Reading!
The latest deadline for legislation to pass the House of Representatives (3rd Reading) is Friday, March 4, 2011.
There are 24 bills that are now on 3rd Reading awaiting a final vote in the House!
This means the 25 bills on 2nd Reading and the 24 bills on 3rd Reading must pass the House by next Friday, March 4th or they will die in the House of Representatives!
At least 7 Democrats must return to the floor of the House to create a 67 person quorum to transact business.
Where to from Here?
We will continue to monitor activity at the State House and keep you updated.
If your Representative is a Democrat who has traveled to Urbana, Illinois rather than staying at the State House and voting on legislation impacting every Hoosier family, you can email them and ask them to return to the State House!
(Click Here) to find out who your Representative is and to send them an email!
Please forward this email to all of your email contacts.
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Advance America
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Indianapolis, IN 46204
www.AdvanceAmerica.com
Telephone Numbers
House of Representatives 800-382-9842 & 317-232-9600
State Senate: 800-382-9467 & 317-232-9400
Governor: 317-232-4567 – Lt. Governor: 317-232-4545
You can find out who your legislators are and get their email address by
going to www.AdvanceAmerica.com or by calling us at (800)448-VOTE (8683).