NWI Times: Holcomb administration pushes back on legislative efforts to limit governor’s emergency powers
Indiana Public Media: “Lawmakers had tense exchanges with members of Gov. Eric Holcomb’s administration Thursday over legislation that would curb the governor’s emergency powers.”
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Democratic Party, the organization that advocates for the future of Indiana and its families, today once again brought a spotlight to the ongoing intraparty civil war happening within the Indiana Republican Party. This time, there were some “tense exchanges” between the Republican supermajority at the Indiana General Assembly and Governor Eric Holcomb as they debated whether to curtail executive powers from Indiana’s governor.
This is where the Indiana Republican Party finds themselves. Republicans have no vision for Indiana and its families, because their agenda appears to be guided by anger and grievance rather than science and truth. This is why Republicans have chosen to bully Indiana’s cities, push an unregulated school choice system, and disrespect low-income Hoosiers. The INGOP’s circle-the-drain strategy is why Hoosiers have lost trust in them.
Here’s how this latest intraparty drama has played statewide (so far):
CNHI: “Gov. Eric Holcomb indirectly confronted lawmakers about their efforts to undo the emergency powers he utilized throughout the course of the pandemic, including the statewide mask mandate and building capacity limits.”
NWI Times: Holcomb administration pushes back on legislative efforts to limit governor’s emergency powers
“It was the first public pushback by Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb’s administration to House Bill 1123, Senate Bill 407, and similar proposals under consideration by the Republican-controlled Legislature that would scale back the governor’s authority in response to some Hoosiers complaining Holcomb has gone too far by issuing a face mask directive and other policies aimed at minimizing the spread of the coronavirus.” […]
“Holcomb has said he repeatedly asked legislative leaders last year whether they believed a special session was necessary only to repeatedly be told no.”
Indiana Public Media: “Lawmakers had tense exchanges with members of Gov. Eric Holcomb’s administration Thursday over legislation that would curb the governor’s emergency powers.”
“Lawmakers pushed back, like in this exchange between Sen. Mark Messmer (R-Jasper) and Cox.
‘I want one example. How does this bill change that?’ Messmer said.
‘So, what I’m asking is, is that in order for us to be able to make appropriate changes–’ Cox said.
‘OK, so you’re just not going to answer the question,’ Messmer said, cutting off Cox.”
IndyStar: Gov. Holcomb opposes attempt by lawmakers to limit his emergency powers
“In a rare legislative move, seven officials in Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb’s administration spoke Thursday in opposition to a bill being pushed by his own party that would limit the emergency powers he’s used during the coronavirus pandemic.
Lawmakers who support the legislation say they want a seat at the table in the decision-making process and improve the state’s emergency powers law. Leaders in Holcomb’s administration worry the legislation would limit the governor’s ability to respond in a timely fashion during a crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic.
Plus, legal experts testified during a committee hearing Thursday that they view the legislation as unconstitutional, an argument many lawmakers don’t buy.”
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