As the Indiana legislature returns to the Statehouse next week for the upcoming session, the lawsuit between the governor and lawmakers hangs over Indianapolis after the legislature overrode Governer Holcomb’s veto of a bill that allows lawmakers to call themselves into a special session to deal with an emergency, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The legal fight over the increased power Indiana legislators gave themselves to intervene during public health emergencies will be going before the state Supreme Court.  But that's months away.

Previously, only the governor could convene a special session. Holcomb's lawsuit argues that the Legislature is "usurping a power given exclusively to the governor" under the state constitution.

A Marion County judge upheld the new law.  After reviewing the ruling, Holcomb's lawyers filed an appeal asking the Indiana Supreme Court to take up the case in order to get “clarity and finality on this important issue.” 

So, what effect, if any, on the session that will begin and conclude before that?   

Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch doesn’t think it will get in the way of lawmakers duty during the session.

Crouch says unprecedented times sometimes lead to disputes such as this one.

The Lt. Governor says it’s good the issue is going before the state’s highest court.

The Supreme Court's order sets an April 7 hearing for oral arguments in the case.