Indiana governor argues only he can call special session
(The Center Square) – An attorney for Gov. Eric Holcomb argued before the Indiana Supreme Court earlier this week that only the governor has the right to call a special session of the Indiana General Assembly.
The General Assembly passed a bill last year that allows legislative leaders to call the General Assembly into a special session to act after the governor has declared a statewide emergency.
The bill came after lawmakers discontent about the governor acting as the sole authority during the COVID-19 pandemic and amid complaints from legislators they were cut out of discussions about the state’s response to the pandemic, which included a stay-at-home order called ‘Hunker Down Hoosiers,’ the closure of small businesses and churches for several weeks and the imposition of a statewide mask mandate, among other measures.
Holcomb vetoed the bill, and the General Assembly overrode his veto.
After the veto override, Holcomb challenged the constitutionality of the new law, but Attorney General Todd Rokita refused to represent him, forcing Holcomb to find his own lawyer.
The fight has pitted the moderate Republican governor against the Republican leaders of the House and Senate – Speaker Todd Huston and Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray.
Read more here.
Who Calls Special Session? – Indiana Statehouse
