Northwest Indiana legislators say they will be wearing masks where appropriate as they head downstate Tuesday for Organization Day.
A joint House-Senate committee of the Republican-majority legislature voted Thursday against a Democratic proposal to require masks be worn indoors, in line with Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb’s statewide mask mandate in effect until mid-December.
While the committee is not requiring masks be worn, it is considered a strong encouragement, committee chairman Rep. Matt Lehman. of Berne, said last week. Local legislators on both sides of the aisle said they plan to wear their masks and are calling on their fellow lawmakers to exercise personal responsibility.
“My thoughts are, I am a strong proponent of following the science and wearing masks,” State Rep. Michael Aylesworth, R-Hebron, said. The use of masks, social distancing and hand washing have proven to be beneficial, he said.
“I’m definitely going to wear a mask,” Aylesworth said. “I hope a vast majority of the House of Representatives when we go into the meetings have their masks on.”
His expects the session to be interesting with the threat of COVID-19, floating around.
“We all need to stay safe and healthy,” he said.
Some lawmakers say they do not think it is right lawmakers are being held to a different standard.
Rep. Hal Slager, R-Schererville, said he was unaware of the decision by House leaders to not require masks. He said he does not like when Congress makes different rules for itself and he does not like it here. He said masks should be worn when appropriate.
“If we are socially distanced, we are fine. If we are gathering, then I think it is appropriate to put on a mask,” Slager said.
“I will definitely be wearing a mask as I do every day when I am outside in public doing things,” State Rep. Earl Harris Jr. said.
He said it was disappointing lawmakers would not be required to wear masks, especially in a state that requires the public to wear masks.
“It’s disappointing that is how we are starting out,” he said. Harris, D-East Chicago, said he was happy to see there were attempts to create social distancing within the chamber. Lawmakers will be spaced out and will be using the gallery. Visitors will watch from behind the panels or in rooms on a monitor.
Harris said there should be a way to make the mask mandate apply to legislators.
State Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso, said he does not know how a mask mandate in the Legislature could possibly be enforced.
“No. 1, I plan on wearing a mask. I always do when appropriate,” Soliday said, adding he wears his mask to ensure he does not potentially unknowingly transmit the disease to someone who can’t wear a mask.
Soliday said he does not see how a mask mandate could be enforced on legislators.
“How are you going to enforce it? You can’t arrest a legislator on the floor for anything short of a felony. Are you going to ban them from voting? It will be very difficult to do under the rules,” Soliday said.
If someone has a reason they cannot wear a mask, there is really nothing that can be done. He said he is hopeful lawmakers will make the right choices.
“We expect people to act responsibly,” Soliday said. “I am going to act responsibly and wear a mask. If somebody isn’t wearing a mask, I will social distance. That is something I can control.”
State Rep. Vernon Smith, D-Gary, said failing to require legislators to were masks will force some people to choose between attending and that is not fair.
“I have a problem with not requiring all of us to wear masks, especially on Organization Day,” Smith said. Organization Day is typically a crowded affair with legislators being sworn in for the fall session and electing their leaders. He questioned whether the planned social distancing measures would be enough.
“I think it is crazy. I will definitely be wearing a mask,” Smith said.
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