Indiana House walkout brings talk of recall elections

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March 17, 2011

Anonymous Associated Press Thu Mar 17, 2011, 07:50 AM EDT

Indianapolis — The Republican leader of the Indiana House says the ongoing walkout by Democratic legislators has him considering laws making such actions illegal or letting voters remove boycotters from office.

Most Democratic House members skipped Wednesday's House session, extending the boycott that began Feb. 22 over education- and labor-related bills they find objectionable.

Republican Speaker Brian Bosma tells reporters that his party is looking at a 1860s law since repealed that had automatic $1,000-a-day fines for boycotting legislators. He says many voters have also asked about being able to have recall elections on the missing members, which state law doesn't now allow.

Democratic leader Patrick Bauer says raising such suggestions is a way for Republicans to distract from the real issues in the impasse.

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