Holcomb pushed to veto bill cutting wetland protections
Associated Press/Report for America
INDIANAPOLIS – Calls are mounting for Gov. Eric Holcomb to veto a bill that would remove some protections from Indiana s already diminished wetlands amid mounting criticism that it could damage waterways, wildlife and vegetation.
The wetlands measure passed out of the Legislature April 14 and has sparked bipartisan opposition. If enacted, it would eliminate a 2003 law that requires the Indiana Department of Environmental Management to issue permits for construction and development in state-regulated wetlands and end enforcement proceedings against landowners accused of violating current law.
All Democratic members of the General Assembly, as well as a member of the Senate Republican Caucus, urged the Republican governor to veto the bill.
Democrats, activists call on governor to veto wetlands bill
CASEY SMITH, Associated Press/Report for America
April 23, 2021
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INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Calls are mounting for Gov. Eric Holcomb to veto a bill that would remove some protections from Indiana’s already diminished wetlands amid mounting criticism that it could damage waterways, wildlife and vegetation.
The wetlands measure passed out of the Legislature April 14 and has sparked bipartisan opposition within the Republican-dominated Legislature. If enacted, it would eliminate a 2003 law that requires the Indiana Department of Environmental Management to issue permits for construction and development in state-regulated wetlands and end enforcement proceedings against landowners accused of violating current law.
Local Health Officials Hands Bound By State Lawmakers Reacting To COVID-19 Pandemic
Article origination IPBS-RJC
Local health officials would have to get approval from their local legislative body to pass restrictions during a public emergency that are stricter than anything the state puts in place.
Justin Hicks/IPB News
It’s going to be a lot harder for local health officials to create and enforce temporary restrictions during a public emergency under legislation approved Wednesday.
The bill, SB 5, says local health officials have to get approval from their local legislative body – county commissioners or city council – to pass emergency rules that are stricter than anything the state puts in place.
Bill clamping down on local health orders approved
NIKI KELLY | The Journal Gazette
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana House and Senate gave final approval Wednesday to a bill clamping down on local health orders during disaster emergencies.
Senate Bill 5 would give more power to elected legislative bodies rather than appointed health officials.
It passed the House 65-29 and the Senate 37-12. When there are implications that you can bankrupt multi-generational families and close down businesses and not have a check and balance in place, said Sen. Chris Garten, R-Scottsburg. We’re simply saying that any appointed position in a democratic republic that has that much unparalleled power should get a second set of eyes to look at it.
Emergency powers bill gets last OK
Unclear if Holcomb will sign, veto
NIKI KELLY | The Journal Gazette
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana House and Senate gave final approval Wednesday to a bill clamping down on local health orders during disaster emergencies.
Senate Bill 5 would give more power to elected legislative bodies rather than appointed health officials.
It passed the House 65-29 and the Senate 37-12.
“When there are implications that you can bankrupt multigenerational families and close down businesses and not have a check and balance in place,” said Sen. Chris Garten, R-Scottsburg. “We re simply saying that any appointed position in a democratic republic that has that much unparalleled power should get a second set of eyes to look at it.”