Daniels issued the following statement upon signing House Bill (HB) 1001 Employee's Right to Work:

“Seven years of evidence and experience ultimately demonstrated that Indiana did need a right-to-work law to capture jobs for which, despite our highly rated business climate, we are not currently being considered. 

“This law won’t be a magic answer but we’ll be far better off with it. I respect those who have objected but they have alarmed themselves unnecessarily: no one’s wages will go down, no one’s benefits will be reduced, and the right to organize and bargain collectively is untouched and intact.

“The only change will be a positive one. Indiana will improve still further its recently earned reputation as one of America’s best places to do business, and we will see more jobs and opportunity for our young people and for all those looking for a better life.”

Rep. Jerry Torr (R-Carmel) authored and House Speaker Brian C. Bosma (R-Indianapolis) co-authored House Bill 1001.

Indiana will now be the first Right to Work state in the nation that does not have a Right to Work state on its border.

“Despite the success that we have had in job creation, we needed to take this last step in order to kick job creation to its highest gear. We are in the heart of the industrial Midwest and we are already getting looks from employers in Ohio, Kentucky, Illinois and other states due to the passage of this legislation,” said Bosma. “I announced that our number one priority this session was to bring jobs to Indiana and the passing of this bill has resulted in a victory for all Hoosiers.”

Support (and opposition) to the right-to-work legislation has been largely split along party lines in Indiana, although a handful of Republicans in each house joined Democrats in opposing the bill. Among the Republican who voted against the measure were Sen. Ed Charbbonneau and Rep. Tom Dermody, both of whom represent Pulaski County.

The 2012 bill watch has been updated and may be found at this link: http://www.in.gov/gov/billwatch.htm