Indiana Democrats Call For Special Legislative Session

CASEY SMITH - Associated Press/Report for America

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Legislative Democrats want Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb to bring the General Assembly back in a special session as concerns over racial injustice and rising coronavirus cases have created what they say is an immediate need for legislators to reconvene.

The Indiana Black Legislative Caucus and the Indiana House Democratic Caucus are requesting a special session in August to consider police reform measures, allow for unrestricted absentee voting and to implement legislative oversight in the distribution of federal COVID-19 relief funds received by Indiana.

There's been too little transparency and action taken on these issues so far, Democrats said, and a special session would allow new legislation to take effect before the General Election and before federal relief funds expire at the end of the year.

“We feel our state is facing unprecedented events that require immediate attention,” said Senate Democratic Leader Tim Lanane said at a news conference Tuesday morning. “It’s time for the people’s elected representatives and senators in the Legislature to step forward to provide the answers and actions they’re looking for."

The Legislature adjourned its regular session on March 11 and is currently not scheduled to consider new measures again until January 2021.

Casey Smith is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.