"Right to Work" Republicans Deprived of a Quorum in Indiana CHICAGO - On what was to be the first day of a new lawmaking session in Indiana, most Democratic state representatives stayed away from the House floor on Wednesday, preventing the Republican majority, which has made "right to work" legislation a top priority, from doing business. House Democrats, who hold 40 of the 100 seats, argued that citizens needed more time to consider the effects of the proposed measure. Republicans, who need 67 lawmakers to be present to meet quorum requirements, said the issue had already been studied in depth and would help Indiana attract new, needed businesses and jobs. The development was the latest skirmish in a continuing war over unions. In Indianapolis alone, it brought to mind an earlier chapter; last year, Indiana Democrats left the state for weeks to block action on bills they considered harmful to union rights. This time, some Democrats indicated that they were not planning to travel over state lines to block the legislation, but it was also uncertain whether they would attend the next House session, scheduled for Thursday. In place in 22 states, right-to-work laws prohibit union contracts at private sector workplaces from requiring workers to pay dues or other fees to a union. In states without the laws, employees at unionized workplaces generally have to pay such fees. "The thinking is to make sure anything with the consequences that right-to-work has gets proper vetting and that this doesn't get put on a fast track without discussion," said Representative Kreg Battles, a Democrat. Brian Bosma, the Republican speaker of the House, whose party also controls the State Senate and the governor's office, said late Wednesday that he was seeking conversations with Democratic leaders. "It's our every intention to move forward," he said.