politics | Dear internet. Indiana Democrats have also relocated their spines...

Indiana Dems have fled the state. Indiana protesters have swarmed the state capital.

Indiana Senate GOPers Pass Collective Bargaining Bill; Dem Reps Go M.I.A.

Governor Mitch Daniels isn't the only Indianan taking a cue from his northern neighbors in Wisconsin: Protesting Hoosiers swarmed the statehouse in Indianapolis Tuesday, while House Democrats reportedly fled the state, and the GOP-led Senate has passed SB 575 [PDF], which would eliminate state teachers' collective bargaining rights.

Several quorum calls have been attempted in the House, but there are not enough representatives to take a vote on the "Right To Work" bill that's currently before the Legislature. The body's Democrats, who are in an "indefinite caucus," according to spokesperson Peg McLeish, are rumored to be out of state. An approaching deadline is at hand, and if bills aren't passed this week, they are dead.MORE

Does anyone have anymore links, blogs etc?

Meantime Walker wants to lay off state workers to punish Dems for staying out of state. Unions respond by calling for general strike.

ontd_political Wisonsin roundup 2/2 has more details. and

badger2305 brings us a personal acct of the day in the State Capitol Quiet State Capitol

So it's 2am here in Madison.

I've just returned from the state capitol. Assembly Democrats are continuing to hold hearings to take testimony from ordinary people scared half to death by SB11 - Gov. Walker's "Budget Repair Bill." My own back-of-the-envelope analysis is that this bill is going to be a fiscal disaster for the state.

I had my opportunity a little after 1am - please note that time. There were no Republicans present. Apparently it is perfectly fine for them to not hear from their constituents, but Heaven forfend if 14 Senate Democrats decide that they won't stay around for the Walker Juggernaut to run them over.MORE

Rachel Maddow - Wisconsin - Survival of the Democratic Party

Wisconsin roundup 2/20: Statement to Workers of Wisconsin by Kamal Abbas of Egypt's Centre for Trade Unions and Workers Services labour union

via:

lireavue

kittydesade has a link roundup of union busting and protesting across the US Carrying the Banner

Tennessee
The Mountain Press indicates that the TN bill is limited to teachers. Other public employees would still be able to bargain through a union.
Local TV News seems to bear that out and discusses a protest march and counter protest by the Tennessee Tea Party.
This local press article also includes a paragraph of intent from the bill's initial sponsor.

Vermont
This local news article describes a bill that would ban teacher strikes. It is dated Feb 21. However, also according to this article, this is one of only two states in New England that does not ban teacher strikes.
This is an OP-ED piece dated Feb 18 that says that a recent bill "would mandate all early education, after school program and home child care workers to join in statewide collective bargaining." The author believes this would be a bad thing and lists reasons why.

Rhode Island
This article suggests Rhode Island may be the next to see a collective-bargaining rights bill of some kind.MORE