Special session put on hold until later in the month

Jul. 4—Indiana lawmakers have pumped the brakes on a special legislative session that was expected to begin on July 6. Governor Eric Holcomb had originally called the general assembly back into session to deal with a plan to return $1 billion to Hoosier taxpayers with checks for $225 but when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe V. Wade, the session came into a change.

"They postponed it," said Representative Shane Lindauer of Jasper. "There are 150 of us and to get us together is difficult in the middle of summer. We are a part-time legislature and we have full-time jobs too. Talking with leadership, it appears the initial day was not going to get enough of us in the same building at the same time."

"The bottom line is I think it is wise," said Representative Bruce Borders of Jasonville. "We are going to deal with the Roe v. Wade decision of the Supreme Court. I think they wanted to get all of the heads of the House and Senate together at the same time and I feel there is some wisdom in doing that. This will give everyone a better chance to communicate. I am anticipating a lot of debate on Roe."

Currently the session has been re-set to begin on July 25. What was expected to be a quick one-day session to deal with a tax rebate could possibly last as long as 40 days as lawmakers try to craft a new abortion bill.

"I don't anticipate it will last the full time, but I have been told to anticipate several weeks in session. It is not unprecedented but it is not the norm either," said Borders. "Without a doubt this special session is necessary. This issue it too important and it is a volatile issue too."

"Abortion will require some debate," said Lindauer. "The speaker has been clear that he wants the time to debate abortion, because it will be a contentious issue. This is clearly going to be more contentious than the rebate, by a long shot."

Still, Lindauer says he wishes the legislature could have taken on the issues more quickly.

"It's frustrating on both counts," he said. "Both issues are very important and I am disappointed it is pushed back to the end of July."

Borders says the debate on changing Indiana's abortion laws has been something he has wanted to be a part of since he joined the legislature.

"I'm excited about this upcoming session," said Borders. "I am pro-life and this is something I have been praying about for a great many years."

Unless the governor changes the opening date of the special session from July 25 it could run until August 14.