On Wednesday, Governor Holcomb vetoed Senate Enrolled Act (SEA) 148, a contentious proposal that would have prohibited local government from passing legislation regulating landlord and tenant relationships. If signed, SEA 148 would have immediately invalidated a recently approved Indianapolis ordinance to provide more protections to tenants. Indianapolis Democratic State Senators Greg Taylor, Jean Breaux and J.D. Ford collectively thanked the governor for vetoing the legislation.

“It’s a huge relief to me and residents of Indianapolis that this legislation will not become law,” Senator Taylor said. “Hoosiers in my community, and in communities across the state, would have had city ordinances protecting tenants from bad-acting landlords invalidated if SEA 148 had been approved. It’s even more imperative now that we are protecting Hoosiers from wrongful treatment and evictions as we work to combat the Coronavirus pandemic. Vetoing this bill was the right decision, and I’m grateful to the governor for making the right choice.”

“I’m glad that Governor Holcomb did the right thing and vetoed SEA 148,” Sen. Breaux said. “His decision shows empathy and understanding at a time when both are needed from leadership and government. Indiana cities should have the freedom to pass local ordinances to deal with issues in their community without interference from the state. Indianapolis has one of the highest eviction rates in the country, and I’m grateful that the proposal approved by our City-County Council to address that problem will not be overturned. It’s a relief that Indianapolis Hoosiers don’t have to worry about being wrongfully evicted, especially now as we continue urging people to remain in their homes to slow the spread of COVID-19.”

“I want to sincerely thank Governor Holcomb for vetoing SEA 148 yesterday,” Sen. Ford said. “During this public health crisis we need to prevent folks from losing their homes and being forced out on the streets. We should never be bending over backwards for unscrupulous landlords, especially during a pandemic. Hoosiers need to feel safe that they can stay at home and wait out this storm.”