Court rules in favor of State Legislature in Holcomb v Bray
In an important win for the separation of powers, the Marion Superior Court ruled late Thursday that the Indiana General Assembly may provide by law for a legislative session to commence if the Governor declares a statewide emergency. In its order, the Court upheld the statute known as HEA 1123, enacted during this legislative session and challenged in court by the Governor.
“This is a huge win for the people of Indiana and permits their voices to be heard through their Legislators when the Governor invokes his own emergency powers,” Attorney General Rokita stated.
In the lawsuit, the Governor had argued that his constitutional authority to call a special legislative session prevents the legislature from enacting a statute that authorizes a session during a public emergency. But in upholding HEA 1123, the court said that “[t]he Special Session Clause does not limit the General Assembly’s authority to schedule its sessions.” Indeed, the Court said, the Special Sessions Clause “was never understood to give the Governor any power to tell the legislature when it can or cannot meet.” Rather, it grants to the Governor an extraordinary right to exercise a legislative power to call a special session that is otherwise reserved to the legislature.
300 Afghan Refugees Federally approved to relocate to Bloomington
Exodus Refugee, an Indianapolis-based resettlement organization helping refugees become established in Indiana, announced that Bloomington has been Federally approved by the Department of the State as a Resettlement Site. With the news, it is anticipated that Bloomington will play host to as many as 300 Afghan Refugees coming from the Federal Refugee Camp Site at Fort Atterbury. Prior to settlement efforts, such as education needs and assistance with citizenry testing, Refugees must go through medical testing and the administration of vaccinations for COVID-19, measles, mumps, rubella, and chicken pox. Exodus seeks volunteers to work as welcoming teams to help with the transitional efforts. Find out more about Exodus Refugee here.
Indiana Arts Homecoming is one week away
The Indiana Arts Homecoming is now one week away! Join the Indiana Arts Commission from October 13-15 for a FREE ONLINE gathering of Indiana’s artists, arts providers, and creative communities. This year’s focus is the intersection of creativity, learning, and community. Register here for the event!
Indiana Task Force for Assessment of Services and Supports for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in person and virtual meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 14, 2021
The next meeting of the Indiana Task Force for Assessment of Services and Supports for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities will be held on Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (EDT). The meeting will be held at the Indiana Government Center South building, conference room B and streamed live at https://www.youtube.com/c/FSSAIndianavideos. For requests for accommodations including a link to ASL interpretation, please contact Kristina Blankenship at 800-545-7763 or kristina.blankenship@fssa.in.gov on or before Oct. 13, 2021.
The task force was originally established by House Enrolled Act 1102 in the 2017 session of the Indiana General Assembly and is chaired by Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch. Meetings were held around the state in 2018 for the purpose of gathering input and preparing a comprehensive plan for implementation of community-based services provided to people with intellectual and other disabilities. The final report can be found here.
More information about the task force is available online at https://www.in.gov/fssa/ddrs/5455.htm.
This Week in Indiana History
1960 – The Tippecanoe Battlefield was designated a National Historic Landmark. An 85-foot marble obelisk stands on the site where the Battle of Tippecanoe was fought in 1811. United States forces, led by William Henry Harrison, clashed with the Native American federation led by Shawnee Chief Tecumseh. The area now encompasses 96 acres and includes picnic areas, a nature center, and hiking trails.