Why I Opposed Right to Work Legislation in Indiana This Year
[Editor's Note: I wrote to Governor Daniels yesterday explaining that he'd riled up quite a few folks here at Ricochet and asked him if he'd like to explain his decision to oppose the right to work bill that was proposed by the Republican legislature in his state. I didn't expect to hear back right away from a man who'd just had shoulder surgery, had to contend with Democrats walking out of his legislature, and was preparing to fly to Washington for the National Governors' Association annual meeting, but --lo!-- he wrote right back. Below, his response as e-mailed to me. --Diane Ellis, Ed.]
Diane, I've explained myself in the home state press for weeks, but since you asked:
Here in Indiana we have a very extensive 2011 agenda that these critics, if they took the time to look, would strongly applaud: another no-tax budget, an automatic refund to taxpayers past a specified level of state reserves, sweeping reform of archaic and anti-taxpayer local government, reduction of the corporate income tax, and the most far-reaching reform of education in America, including statewide vouchers for low and moderate income families. We laid all this before the public during last year's elections.
Into this a few of my allies chose to toss Right to Work (RTW). I suggested studying it for a year and developing the issue for next year. No one had campaigned on it; it was a big issue that hit the public cold. I was concerned that it would provide the pretext for radical action by our Democratic minority that would jeopardize the entire agenda above, with zero chance of passing RTW itself. And that is exactly what has happened.
We're not giving up on the agenda we ran on, but this mistake presents a significant obstacle. RTW never had a chance this year and now the task is to make sure that it doesn't take a host of good government changes down with it.
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Comments:
Jul '10
Re: Why I Opposed Right to Work Legislation in Indiana This Year
Thank you for the explanation, Governor. In the absence of supporting polling data or election feedback, having the patience to debate and consider the will of the governed does seem prudent.
Not being in or from Indiana, the threat of non-cooperation from the minority party lacks specificity. Is anyone in the room familiar with minority tactics as they apply to Indiana?
Edited on February 24, 2011 at 7:48pmJul '10
Re: Why I Opposed Right to Work Legislation in Indiana This Year
Well said, Governor. It's easy for folks who don't live in Indiana and don't know much about your agenda and the consequent political challenges you face to carp. And frankly, many of them didn't even know that you'd taken on public sector unions six years ago.
I'm glad you cleared the air.
Edited on February 24, 2011 at 7:47pmJul '10
Re: Why I Opposed Right to Work Legislation in Indiana This Year
Diane, thanks for contacting Governor Daniels. We sure get a lot of value for $3.47 a month.
Re: Why I Opposed Right to Work Legislation in Indiana This Year
We're going to pull that quote and use it in our next investor's fundraising deck!
Re: Why I Opposed Right to Work Legislation in Indiana This Year
My pleasure. Of course, it's never comfortable to forward on heaping bowlfuls of criticism to a man you admire (I sent him Trace's post), but I appreciate that the Governor is willing to shoot straight and face his critics head on. Most folks in his position would have their press secretaries doctor up some generic, evasive response. Not the case with Daniels.
Edited on February 24, 2011 at 8:02pmSep '10
Re: Why I Opposed Right to Work Legislation in Indiana This Year
Rob Long
We're going to pull that quote and use it in our next investor's fundraising deck! · Feb 24 at 10:53am
There you go again: telling everyone that we're all well-heeled elites, buying access to our executive overlords. If you want to appeal to the masses, we need a drive through lane.
Dec '10
Re: Why I Opposed Right to Work Legislation in Indiana This Year
Gov. Daniels, I am confused. You worried that Indiana Democrat legislators would be so provoked by RTW -- something you say had no chance of passage -- that they would take radical action. Why would you then be confident that school vouchers would be less inflammatory and be able to pass without precipitating the same radical response from Democrat lawmakers?
Sep '10
Re: Why I Opposed Right to Work Legislation in Indiana This Year
Diane Ellis, Ed.
My pleasure. Of course, it's never comfortable to forward on heaping bowlfuls of criticism to a man you admire (I sent him Trace's post), but I appreciate that the Governor is willing to shoot straight and face his critics head on. Most folks in his position would have their press secretaries doctor up some generic, evasive response. Not the case with Daniels. · Feb 24 at 11:01am
Edited on Feb 24 at 11:02 am
Agreed. That's an impressive display of character by Governor Daniels.
Edited on February 24, 2011 at 8:12pmJul '10
Re: Why I Opposed Right to Work Legislation in Indiana This Year
It's called picking your fights, Stuart.
Oct '10
Re: Why I Opposed Right to Work Legislation in Indiana This Year
Sometimes events beyond our control overwhelm us all, Governor. Apparently, Gov. Walker’s best opportunity to address Wisconsin’s public-employee benefit costs was inopportune for the State of Indiana. Regretfully, the citizens of Indiana and to a lesser extent, those of Wisconsin, face a more difficult challenge as a result.
Dec '10
Re: Why I Opposed Right to Work Legislation in Indiana This Year
Thanks Governor for taking a moment to respond.
Mitch Daniels:
Into this a few of my allies chose to toss Right to Work (RTW). I suggested studying it for a year and developing the issue for next year. No one had campaigned on it; it was a big issue that hit the public cold.
I think this is a great point. At least now the people will have plenty of time to weigh the proposal and public sentiment toward one way or the other can be discerned.
Re: Why I Opposed Right to Work Legislation in Indiana This Year
Stuart Creque: Gov. Daniels, I am confused. You worried that Indiana Democrat legislators would be so provoked by RTW -- something you say had no chance of passage -- that they would take radical action. Why would you then be confident that school vouchers would be less inflammatory and be able to pass without precipitating the same radical response from Democrat lawmakers? · Feb 24 at 11:04am
If I understand the Governor correctly, the difference is that he campaigned on school vouchers and it's something that the people expressed support for at the ballot box.
For a politician to enact radical legislation without the prior consent of the People is just bad governance. And incidentally a huge part of why we all rightly criticize Obama.
May '10
Re: Why I Opposed Right to Work Legislation in Indiana This Year
In the context of Indiana politics, the governor may well be right: conservatives should approve. After all, politics is the art of the possible. Priorities must be set and battles chosen prudently.
But there's also a national narrative unfolding. And if Governor Daniels hopes to enter the presidential race, he will have to appeal to the base nationwide.
From that point of view, the concession to AWOL Democrats at this moment is terribly dispiriting to conservatives who were already dismayed over his unnecessary preemptive truce on the social issues--which struck us not as a truce, but as unilateral disarmament.
Re: Why I Opposed Right to Work Legislation in Indiana This Year
My understanding is that the collection of reforms the governor is talking about are things that he and his party ran on, and won, in the last election. They're part of the mandate and are on track for passage. They're things the people of Indiana have made clear they want. So why muddy the message now, and allow the Democrats in the state to claim he's going too far? Especially since RTW -- however right it is -- isn't as fundamentally revolutionary -- or urgent -- as his tax and education reforms.
Jul '10
Re: Why I Opposed Right to Work Legislation in Indiana This Year
katievs: In the context of Indiana politics, the governor may well be right: conservatives should approve. After all, politics is the art of the possible. Priorities must be set and battles chosen prudently.
But there's also a national narrative unfolding. And if Governor Daniels hopes to enter the presidential race, he will have to appeal to the base nationwide.
From that point of view, the concession to AWOL Democrats at this moment is terribly dispiriting to conservatives who were already dismayed over his unnecessary preemptive truce on the social issues--which struck us not as a truce, but as unilateral disarmament. · Feb 24 at 11:22am
Well, that may be how it struck you. It certainly isn't how I perceived it.
Oct '10
Re: Why I Opposed Right to Work Legislation in Indiana This Year
The art of the possible. The explanation is simple and reasonable.
Jun '10
Re: Why I Opposed Right to Work Legislation in Indiana This Year
RTW, I consider a dignity-of-Man issue, just like fighting slavery was 200 years ago. You do it whenever and wherever possible. To me, it's never a backburner issue. I don't want unions forcing me to do anything, whether it's staying home from work, or giving them money so they can give it to my political enemies. If they were really of service, they wouldn't have to force people to join.
Jun '10
Re: Why I Opposed Right to Work Legislation in Indiana This Year
Rob Long
My understanding is that the collection of reforms the governor is talking about are things that he and his party ran on, and won, in the last election. They're part of the mandate and are on track for passage. They're things the people of Indiana have made clear they want. .... · Feb 24 at 11:26am
Forgive me, but isn't the root of Stuart's question what is the Governor likely to do should Democrat legislators run out of the state when parts of his legislative agenda come to the floor that they dislike, like school vouchers, for example? Beyond articulating that the tactic is unacceptable, what is the Governor prepared to do?
Jul '10
Re: Why I Opposed Right to Work Legislation in Indiana This Year
Right to work is an issue that affects about 7% of the population - those currently enrolled in private-sector unions. Governor Daniels has bigger fish to fry for the people of Indiana.
Jun '10
Re: Why I Opposed Right to Work Legislation in Indiana This Year
Kenneth
Right to work is an issue that affects about 7% of the population - those currently enrolled in private-sector unions. Governor Daniels has bigger fish to fry for the people of Indiana. · Feb 24 at 11:52am
Well, we all have a hill that we're willing to die on, and RTW is mine. Modern unions reek of socialist conformity, and I hate everything about them. Period.