INDIANAPOLIS | The Republican and Democratic leaders of the Indiana House are talking again, but a resolution to the month-long Democratic walkout is not imminent.
House Speaker Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis, and Democratic Leader Patrick Bauer, D-South Bend, spoke to each other for some 15 minutes Wednesday, following an hour-long Statehouse meeting of House and Senate leaders on issues unrelated to the walkout.
This was the first conversation between the two leaders since Bosma cut off negotiations with Bauer on March 17 after declaring Bauer's demands "a moving target."
Bosma said he and Bauer discussed House Bill 1216, legislation that would raise the value of public works construction projects required to pay union-level wages to $1 million, from $150,000.
State Rep. Bill Davis, R-Portland, the sponsor of the legislation, is willing to change the prevailing wage trigger to $500,000, but Bauer wants a trigger in the $300,000 range.
Even if a compromise on that issue can be reached, the Speaker seemed pessimistic it will bring the Democrats back.
"I've addressed the 'last thing' on several occasions only to have the shell move and there's a ball under that one too," Bosma said.
State Rep. Scott Pelath, D-Michigan City, said the fact the two leaders are talking again is reason to be optimistic.
"I would say not talking does not bring you any closer and talking might bring you closer," Pelath said.
House Democrats relocated to Urbana, Ill., on Feb 22 to halt legislation they say is anti-union and anti-public education.
Without the 40 Democrats, the 100-member House does not have the 67 representatives in attendance required to take legislative action.