INDIANAPOLIS — The state legislature will meet this afternoon to discuss an override vote of the governor’s veto of a bill that would put the final say on local health restrictions in the hands of county commissioners.
The bill would require that if local health departments want to impose restrictions that are more strict than what has been imposed on the state level would need approval from county commissioners.
Marion County is one of a few counties in Indiana where health restrictions are just that and if the legislature overrides the governor’s veto, the bill would immediately become law and thus rendering restrictions in Marion County null and void.
But, the Indianapolis City-County Council is expected to meet later this evening where they are expected to vote re-impose local restrictions in line with what is laid out in the bill.
“My focus and that of the council has been on the health and safety of Marion County residents,” said council president Vop Osili (D) to WISH-TV. “I would say we have done and very decent job in addressing the pandemic and responding incredibly quickly to it.”
Opponents of the bill, which includes the governor and health experts all across the state, say it would make them less capable of responding quickly to a public health emergency.
The State Senate will convene at 1:30 p.m. to discuss the override. If the Senate overrides, the Indiana House would then convene to discuss it. The city-county council will convene their Monday meeting at 7:30 p.m.
