Governor Mitch Daniels announced Thursday he will throw his support behind efforts in the upcoming legislative session to make Indiana the 23rd right-to-work state in the nation
Though Daniels has said for some time that he supports the idea of right to work, he also pledged to study the issue before deciding to weigh in specifically on Indiana's legislation. In a statement, the governor says not being a right-to-work state is costing Indiana a chance at countless middle-class jobs. He also says continued high unemployment rates make passing the measure necessary.
Opponents of the issue, primarily unions, say there is no clear relationship between right to work and economic growth. They also voice concerns that it will lower wages and threaten worker safety by handicapping the ability of unions to bargain as effectively as possible.
Daniels says he does not think those arguments hold up. The governor will unveil the rest of his legislative agenda at a luncheon Friday.