<p>INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana’s governor has vetoed a bill <a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-government-and-politics-bills-coronavirus-indiana-dd8834fc97ddbace675f451bb415df5a">that would limit the authority of county or city health departments</a> by allowing local elected officials to block public health orders issued during emergencies.</p>
<p>Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb said in a veto message Tuesday that the time wasn’t right to jeopardize the flexibility of local health officials as the state recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic and work continues to vaccinate more people.</p>
<p>Some medical and health organizations opposed <a href="http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2021/bills/senate/5#document-c864df8f">the bill,</a> arguing against shifting authority away from public health professionals to local elected officials who largely lack such experience.</p>
<p>Legislative Republican supporters said the step was meant to <a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-health-legislation-coronavirus-pandemic-indiana-6aac495b8242565f4434b27273a5f070">provide a “check and balance”</a> protecting the rights of business owners following complaints about COVID-19 orders closing or limiting businesses. </p>
<p>Indiana legislators can override Holcomb’s veto by a simple majority vote in both chambers, with the action potentially taking place during a one-day meeting next week.</p>
<p>Legislative Republicans <a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-health-eric-holcomb-legislation-coronavirus-pandemic-f3ebd3c2121bcb8ef0080a181a666a46">voted last month to override</a> Holcomb’s veto on a bill giving themselves more authority to intervene during statewide emergencies declared by the governor. <a href="https://apnews.com/article/michael-pence-indiana-coronavirus-health-government-and-politics-17440d80bbbab67a26b52405ee2e400a">Holcomb has filed a lawsuit</a> against the Legislature, arguing that new law violates the state constitution.</p>
