Bauer calls for "cool-down" period
In an unprecedented and unexpected move, on Thursday Indiana Speaker of the House Patrick Bauer, D-South Bend, called for the House to adjourn until March 10.
Bauer intended Thursday to be the day when all bills would be moved through their respective chambers, making it the last day for the General Assembly.
A major reason Bauer called for the adjournment, which he called a "cool-down" period, was due to the actions of Sen. Brandt Hershman, R-Lafayette. Hershman is a member of the conference committee dealing with unemployment insurance, one of the hot-button issues still left to resolve.
Hershman left the Statehouse around 6 p.m. to attend the Boone County Lincoln Day dinner to promote an upcoming run for Congress.
Bauer said Hershman was key to solving these issues, and saw his absense as a cause for tenstion between the two chambers, leading to the call for adjournment.
Senate President Pro Tempore David Long, R-Fort Wayne, called the accusation that Hershman slowed down the General Assembly's progress "laughable." Long said he had no clue this adjournment was coming.
"I'm completely baffled. There was no explanation or hint of this happening," Long said. "Last I heard (Bauer) talked about pushing through tonight (Thursday) into tomorrow (Friday morning)."
Senate Minority Leader Vi Simpson, D-Ellettsville, was in the chamber when Bauer called for the adjournment, and was equally shocked. But she didn't put the blame squarely on Bauer and the House.
"I think there's a little bit of blame and fault to go around," she said. "We need to stop this partisan stuff and get back to work for the people of Indiana."
Long said that despite the fact that the House will not return until Wednesday, the Senate will return at 1 p.m. Friday to continue discussing legislation. He added that the Senate leaders are willing to negotiate through the weekend if necessary.
