Daniels Looking To Avoid Fight With Labor

Concerned that the response from labor and Democrats could disrupt the legislative session, Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels (R) reiterated that the current time is not right to debate the right-to-work legislation Democrats are opposing.

"For reasons I've explained more than once, I thought there was a better time and place to have this very important and legitimate issue raised," Daniels said to reporters Tuesday afternoon.

Daniels' more conciliatory position contrasts with that of Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R-Wis.), who has gone after public unions' collective bargaining rights as a central part of his agenda to trim government spending.

Daniels added that he isn't going to be sending state law enforcement out to bring back Democratic members of the Indiana legislature who left over opposition to a right-to-work measure in the state legislature.

"I'm not sending the state police after anybody. I'm not going to divert a single trooper from their job from protecting the Indiana public. I trust that people's consciences will bring them back to work," said Daniels

Daniels said he believed that Democrats would come back if the bill dies. "I do. I really think so. And obviously, they should," he said. "But I really believe they will. I choose to believe they will."

"The activities of today are perfectly legitimate," Daniels added.


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