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Thursday, February 10, 2005

Ind. Law - The Governor shall reside in the "seat of government"

The Indiana Constitution:

Art. 5, Section 20. Should the seat of government become dangerous from disease or a common enemy, the Governor may convene the General Assembly at any other place.

Art. 6, Section 5. The Governor, and the Secretary, Auditor, and Treasurer of State, shall, severally, reside and keep the public records, books, and papers, in any manner relating to their respective offices, at the seat of government.

I admit to having forgotten these references to the "seat of government" until reminded this a.m. by Ruthie Holladay's column today in the Indianapolis Star. It concludes:
Daniels vowed to abide by the state constitution. Even if it means delaying a move to the dream home. Then he promised to get some bedding into the governor's residence this week. That might be a good idea, considering that voters are watching.
Daniels also makes these points in Holladay's column:
First point: "The governor's residence is a great place and our goal is to fix it and make it a home for us and future governors. But it was jarring to be handed this recommendation that we spend $2.6 million in taxpayers' money at a time when we are asking everyone be careful. That (spending taxpayer money) is not going to happen," he says. His administration will "find a better way" to raise money for the renovations, he says.

Second point: Some people, and not just Democrats, have gotten the idea that the governor and his wife think they are too good for Meridian Street. Absurd, he says. "It is far more beautiful and expensive than any home Cheri and I have ever lived in."

Finally, about that constitutional conflict. "The first revelation this week was that the renovation would cost $2.6 million. The second was that constitutional rule."

"Seat of government" was a common term in the early days of our State. Here, from the 1813 State Capital Act:
That from and after the first day of May next, the seat of government of the Indiana territory shall be, and the same is hereby fixed and established in the town of Corydon, in the county of Harrison, and the said seat of government shall be and remain in the said town of Corydon, until altered by law ...

Posted by Marcia Oddi on February 10, 2005 12:31 PM
Posted to Indiana Government