THE CHEESE STANDS ALONE…. The Republican Party’s anti-union efforts were supposed to spread from Wisconsin to Indiana, and it appeared that the Hoosiers were in for a similar confrontation. Indeed, like their Wisconsin brethren, a group of Indiana Democrats fled to Illinois yesterday to deny the GOP majority the necessary quorum to proceed on a related bill.
By late yesterday, however, Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels (R) announced his opposition to the proposal, and today, the bill died.
Republicans have killed a controversial labor bill that has sparked a Democrat work-stoppage and large union protests at the Statehouse. […]
Senate President Pro Tempore David Long, R-Fort Wayne, said that he, Bosma, R-Indianapolis, and Daniels all agree that the matter instead should be studied by a legislative committee later this year.
The so-called “right to work” bill would bar companies and unions from negotiating a contract that would require non-union employees to pay a fee for representation.
There are, not surprisingly, other pending bills Indiana Dems are concerned about, but for now, this is a victory.
Also today, anti-labor efforts in Iowa came to an abrupt halt in Iowa, as Gov. Terry Branstad (R) announced he’s not interested in changing the state’s collective bargaining law.
If Wisconsin’s Scott Walker (R) were looking for some cover from his Republican allies, especially in the Midwest, he’s not finding much in the way of support.
Update: Greg Sargent points to an important angle that may help explain why other GOP governors aren’t following Walker’s lead — the American mainstream, includng a big chunk of Republicans, just isn’t on board with the anti-labor agenda.
