Indiana Supreme Court Rejects Rokita Appeal In Emergency Powers Lawsuit

The Indiana Supreme Court denied Attorney General Todd Rokita’s effort to halt a lawsuit between the governor and the General Assembly over emergency powers.

Gov. Eric Holcomb sued lawmakers over a new law that allows the legislature to call itself into special session during a public emergency. He argued the Indiana Constitution only gives the governor that power.

Rokita tried to intervene. Rokita said the governor can’t sue the legislature without Rokita’s say-so – and since the AG supports the legislature on this issue, he didn’t give it.

READ MORE: How Is Indiana Distributing COVID-19 Vaccines? Here's What You Need To Know

Join the conversation and sign up for the Indiana Two-Way. Text "Indiana" to 73224. Your comments and questions in response to our weekly text help us find the answers you need on COVID-19 and other statewide issues.

But a county judge rejected Rokita’s argument, calling it “absurd.” The attorney general tried to get the Supreme Court to weigh in, which it won’t do. The justices denied Rokita’s request for appeal without further explanation.

Now, the case moves forward to arguments in the trial court next month over the fundamental issue: is the new emergency powers law constitutional?

Contact reporter Brandon at bsmith@ipbs.org or follow him on Twitter at @brandonjsmith5.