Patrick Bauer,

D-South Bend,

House minority

leader

“Today we can announce compromises that are great steps forward for working Hoosiers. The principled stand by House Democrats forced concessions by the House Republicans that reflected the concerns expressed by so many people who came to the Statehouse in recent weeks.

“The timeout forced by Democrats gave Hoosiers an opportunity to examine the radical agenda being attempted in Indiana and to speak out. We’ve protected working people from a march to the minimum wage. We’ve protected collective bargaining rights for Hoosier workers and teachers. We’ve softened the blow to public schools and prevented passage of a bill for the private takeover of public schools. This timeout gave millions of Hoosiers a real voice in their state government.

“We are appreciative that the speaker was willing to reach out to us and make compromises that address the most serious concerns. We are hopeful that we can continue to work and find common ground.”

Gov. Mitch Daniels

“Our pro-jobs agenda of low spending, low taxes and educational improvement is squarely in the Hoosier mainstream. The only thing ‘radical’ about this session has been the decision by one caucus to walk off the job for five weeks. Now that it’s finally over, let’s make up the lost time. …”

Brian Bosma,

R-Indianapolis,

House speaker

“It’s long past time to get to the people’s business. Hopefully we can make this work in five short weeks.”

Eric Holcomb

Indiana GOP

chairman

“Now that the state House Democrats have decided to return to their jobs after a 36-day absence, they need to stay.

“Valuable time has already been lost on crucial legislative items important to Hoosier taxpayers and families.

“Speaker Bosma has stood strong for the majority of Hoosiers who cast their ballots for these important reforms last November. Now, for the next month, members of the General Assembly have much to do in a short time.”

Dan Parker

Indiana Democratic

Party Chairman

“The Republicans called us names, threatened us with fines and tested our resolve, but in the end, compromise and negotiation trumped their radical agenda. This timeout gave thousands of Hoosiers the chance to take part in the process and have their voices heard by Republicans.

“Is this the perfect solution? No. But it is a solution that protects Indiana’s middle class from the GOP plan to lower wages and eliminate worker rights.”

Nancy Guyott

president,

Indiana

AFL-CIO

“On behalf of Hoosiers across Indiana, I want to say thank you to the House Democrats for standing up for working people. Their courageous stand operated as an important check and balance and created room for much-needed dialogue and negotiation.”

Evansville Courier

& Press editorial

The missing Indiana House Democrats have finally returned from their holiday in Urbana, Ill., and, oddly enough, they are claiming victory.

To the Republicans’ credit, they did their best to move forward on a budget while Democrats were twiddling their thumbs in Illinois.

Unfortunately, now that the Democrats are back, legislators have only five weeks left to approve a budget and a redistricting plan, but they have likely denied the assembly the opportunity this year for local government reform and for sentencing reform, issues that could be extremely important to Indiana taxpayers.

There’s no victory in that.

Terre Haute

Tribune-Star

editorial

There is no question Democrats accomplished some things, primarily derailing the anti-union juggernaut driven by House Republicans and drawing increased attention to the GOP’s so-called “reforms” targeting public education. But the Democrats overplayed their hand and stayed away for too long. We suspect that may lessen the long-term political impact the boycott may have. For Republicans, certain elements of their agenda were indeed exposed. The legislative attacks on unions and advancement of other “social” issues could damage the GOP politically. Remember, their party leadership – aka Gov. Mitch Daniels and Speaker Brian Bosma – had warned against pursuing such matters because of potential disruptions in the process. They were right, but House Republicans did not listen.