INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – Republicans who control the Indiana Senate have advanced major, politically charged proposals in the final weeks of the legislative session by inserting amendments into other bills. That means there are no public hearings on the issues, including defunding Planned Parenthood, fining boycotting lawmakers and changing rules surrounding the indicted secretary of state.
Critics say that if the legislation is such a good idea, it should go through the typical public hearing process.
Senate President Pro Tem David Long, R-Fort Wayne, says the Senate prefers to follow the typical legislative process. But he says the five-week boycott by House Democrats earlier this session changed the timeline and meant less time for committee chairmen to schedule hearings.
Democrats say Senate Republicans are pushing a radical conservative agenda without regard for ethics.
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