Government of Indiana: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|State government of the United States}} |
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The '''government of Indiana''' is established and regulated by the [[Constitution of Indiana]]. The state-level government consists of three branches, the [[judicial branch]], the [[legislative branch]], and the [[executive branch]]. The three branches share power and jointly govern the [[US State|state]] of [[Indiana]]. County and local governments are also constitutional bodies with limited authority to levy taxes, pass legislation, and create and maintain local public infrastructure. |
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{{Infobox political system|name='''Government of Indiana'''|image=Indiana-StateSeal.svg|image_size=150|caption=[[Seal of Indiana| Seal of the State of Indiana]]|part_of=[[United States of America]]|constitution=[[Constitution of Indiana]]|legislature=[[Indiana General Assembly|General Assembly]]|legislature_type=[[Bicameral]]|legislature_place=[[Indiana Statehouse]]|upperhouse=[[Indiana Senate|Senate]]|upperhouse_speaker=[[Suzanne Crouch]]|upperhouse_speaker_title=President|lowerhouse=[[Indiana House of Representatives| House of Representatives]]|lowerhouse_speaker=[[Todd Huston]]|lowerhouse_speaker_title=Speaker|lowerhouse_appointer=|title_hosag=[[Governor of Indiana|Governor]]|current_hosag=[[Eric Holcomb]]|appointer_hosag=[[Election]]|cabinet_leader=[[Governor of Indiana|Governor]]|cabinet_deputyleader=[[Lieutenant Governor of Indiana|Lieutenant Governor]]|cabinet_hq=[[Indiana Statehouse]]|judiciary_head_title=Chief Justice|courts=[[Courts of Indiana]]|court1=[[Indiana Supreme Court|Supreme Court of Indiana]]|chief_judge1=[[Loretta Rush]]|court_seat1=[[Indianapolis, Indiana|Indianapolis]]}}The '''government of Indiana''' is established and regulated by the [[Constitution of Indiana]]. The state-level government consists of three branches: the [[judicial branch]], the [[legislative branch]], and the [[executive branch]]. The three branches share power and jointly govern the [[U.S. state|state]] of [[Indiana]]. County and local governments are also constitutional bodies with limited authority to levy taxes, pass legislation, and create and maintain local public infrastructure. |
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The government of Indiana was first formed in December 1816 and replaced the government of the [[Indiana Territory]]. The early government came under criticism beginning as early as the 1820s for having many public offices filled by appointment and lack of delegation of authority to lower officials, requiring state level legislation for things like divorce approval. In 1851 a new constitution was adopted by the state, remedying many of these problems and opening many more office to public election. Significant government reforms were enacted again in 1971 when the state courts were reorganized and new powers were granted to the governor which had historically been a weak institution. |
The government of Indiana was first formed in December 1816 and replaced the government of the [[Indiana Territory]]. The early government came under criticism beginning as early as the 1820s for having many public offices filled by appointment and lack of delegation of authority to lower officials, requiring state level legislation for things like divorce approval. In 1851 a new constitution was adopted by the state, remedying many of these problems and opening many more office to public election. Significant government reforms were enacted again in 1971 when the state courts were reorganized and new powers were granted to the governor which had historically been a weak institution. |
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==Organization== |
==Organization== |
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[[File:StateCapitolIndiana.jpg|alt=The Indiana State House|thumb|The [[Indiana |
[[File:StateCapitolIndiana.jpg|alt=The Indiana State House|thumb|The [[Indiana Statehouse]], the seat of government for all three branches of the State Government]] |
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The government of Indiana sits in the state capital of [[Indianapolis]]. Each of the three branches operates out of the [[Indiana Statehouse]]. The state maintains several office buildings that hold many of its bureaus and departments. Most of the state's bureaus are located in the [[Indiana Government Center North|Indiana Government Center]], a building complex in downtown Indianapolis, located immediately west of the Statehouse. |
The government of Indiana sits in the state capital of [[Indianapolis]]. Each of the three branches operates out of the [[Indiana Statehouse]]. The state maintains several office buildings that hold many of its bureaus and departments. Most of the state's bureaus are located in the [[Indiana Government Center North|Indiana Government Center]], a building complex in downtown Indianapolis, located immediately west of the Statehouse. |
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The Indiana General Assembly is the legislative branch of the state of [[Indiana]]. It is a [[bicameral]] legislature that consists of a lower house, the [[Indiana House of Representatives]], and an upper house, the [[Indiana Senate]]. The General Assembly meets annually at the [[Indiana State House]] in [[Indianapolis]]. |
The Indiana General Assembly is the legislative branch of the state of [[Indiana]]. It is a [[bicameral]] legislature that consists of a lower house, the [[Indiana House of Representatives]], and an upper house, the [[Indiana Senate]]. The General Assembly meets annually at the [[Indiana State House]] in [[Indianapolis]]. |
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Members of the General Assembly are elected from districts that are realigned every ten years. Representatives serve two-year terms; senators serve four-year terms.<ref>{{ |
Members of the General Assembly are elected from districts that are realigned every ten years. Representatives serve two-year terms; senators serve four-year terms.<ref>{{cite wikisource |title=Indiana Constitution of 1851}}</ref> Both houses must pass a bill before it can be submitted to the governor and enacted into law.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://c.ymcdn.com/sites/www.ilfonline.org/resource/resmgr/legislative/indiana_chamber_-_how_a_bill.pdf|title=How a Bill Becomes a Law|date=2008|website=Indiana Chamber of Commerce|access-date=20 March 2016}}</ref> |
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===Judiciary=== |
===Judiciary=== |
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{{See also|Supreme Court of Indiana|Indiana Court of Appeals}} |
{{See also|Supreme Court of Indiana|Indiana Court of Appeals}} |
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The [[Supreme Court |
The [[Indiana Supreme Court]] is the highest judicial body in Indiana. The court oversees the lower courts and commissions that jointly make up the judicial branch. The other courts include the Indiana Tax Court, the [[Indiana Court of Appeals]], and circuit, superior, and city or town courts. Every county in the state has a circuit court, in which all matter of suits may be filed, and the larger cities (such as Indianapolis, [[Fort Wayne, Indiana|Fort Wayne]], [[South Bend, Indiana|South Bend]], [[Evansville, Indiana|Evansville]], and [[Terre Haute, Indiana|Terre Haute]]) have courts of [[concurrent jurisdiction]] that act as superior or municipal courts.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Bamberger|last2=Feibleman|date=August 1948|title=Aspects of Practice in Various States (Part Three)|journal=Commercial Law Journal}}</ref> The courts are assisted by several commissions that are also part of the judicial branch, including the [[Indiana Judicial Nominating Commission|Judicial Nominating Commission]]. |
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===Executive=== |
===Executive=== |
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{{Main|Governor of Indiana}} |
{{Main|Governor of Indiana}} |
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The Governor of Indiana is the chief [[executive officer]] of the government of [[Indiana]]. Elected to a four-year term, the governor is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day management of the functions of the state government. The governor is assisted by other officials elected to the executive branch including the [[Lieutenant Governor of Indiana|Lieutenant Governor]] and the [[Indiana Attorney General|Attorney General]]. |
The Governor of Indiana is the chief [[executive officer]] of the government of [[Indiana]]. Elected to a four-year term, the governor is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day management of the functions of the state government. The governor is assisted by other officials elected to the executive branch including the [[Lieutenant Governor of Indiana|Lieutenant Governor]] and the [[Indiana Attorney General|Attorney General]]. The Governor is [[Eric Holcomb]] (R) since 2017, the Lieutenant Governor is [[Suzanne Crouch]] (R) since 2017, the Attorney General is [[Todd Rokita]] (R) since 2021, the Secretary of State is [[Diego Morales (politician)|Diego Morales]] since 2023, the Treasurer is [[Daniel Elliott (Indiana politician)|Daniel Elliott]] (R) since 2023, and the Auditor is [[Elise Nieshalla]] (R) since 2023. |
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==Checks and balances== |
==Checks and balances== |
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===County government=== |
===County government=== |
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[[File:Boone County Courthouse in Lebanon from northwest.jpg|thumb|[[Boone County, Indiana|Boone County]] Courthouse]] |
[[File:Boone County Courthouse in Lebanon from northwest.jpg|thumb|[[Boone County, Indiana|Boone County]] Courthouse]] |
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| ⚫ | '''County council:''' A county council of seven or nine members controls all spending and revenue of the county government. Each county sets their own rules of whether or not a council position is [[At-large|At-Large]] or divided by [[Electoral district|districts.]] The council members serve four-year terms. They are responsible for setting salaries, the annual budget, and special spending. The council also has limited authority to impose local taxes, usually in the form of an income tax that is subject to state-level approval, excise taxes, or service taxes, like those on dining or lodging.<ref name="inc3623">[[Indiana Code]] [http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title36/ar2/ch3.html Title 36, Article 2, Section 3] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081005194234/http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title36/ar2/ch3.html |date=2008-10-05 }}</ref><ref name="inc2102">[[Indiana Code]] [http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title3/ar10/ch2.pdf Title 2, Article 10, Section 2-13] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081029030838/http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title3/ar10/ch2.pdf |date=2008-10-29 }}</ref> |
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County governments are made up of two bodies, a county council and a board of commissioners. |
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| ⚫ | '''Board of commissioners:''' The executive body consists of three commissioners. The commissioners are elected county-wide, and serve four-year terms, which are usually staggered. One of the commissioners, typically the most senior, serves as president. The commissioners are responsible for carrying out the acts legislated by the council, and for managing the day-to-day functions of the county government.<ref name = inc3623/><ref name = inc2102/> |
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| ⚫ | '''County |
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| ⚫ | '''Boards and commissions:''' Counties also utilize boards and commissions to oversee different aspects of the county. These boards are usually filled by direct election from the public, appointment by the Board of Commissioners, or a combination of both methods. Boards and commissions typically oversee management of water facilities, public roads, and new projects, among other tasks.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.allencounty.us/boards-and-commissions|title=Boards and Commissions|website=www.allencounty.us|language=en-gb|access-date=2017-06-19}}</ref> For example, each school district has a board, whose members are chosen through public election. County school boards are responsible for funding and management of the public school system within their district. The majority of school funding comes from property taxes. The tax rate is subject to state level approval and is capped by law. |
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| ⚫ | '''Board of |
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| ⚫ | '''Boards and |
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'''Courts:''' Each county has its own circuit court, formed pursuant to the Indiana state constitution. Some counties have additional courts. The circuit and superior courts are courts of [[general jurisdiction]]. Several counties, including [[Marion County, Indiana|Marion County]], also have dedicated [[small claims court]]s, in addition to city courts and town courts with statutorily-defined jurisdiction. |
'''Courts:''' Each county has its own circuit court, formed pursuant to the Indiana state constitution. Some counties have additional courts. The circuit and superior courts are courts of [[general jurisdiction]]. Several counties, including [[Marion County, Indiana|Marion County]], also have dedicated [[small claims court]]s, in addition to city courts and town courts with statutorily-defined jurisdiction. |
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'''County |
'''County officials:''' The county has several other elected offices; including a [[sheriff]], [[coroner]], [[auditor]], [[treasurer]], [[Recorder of deeds|recorder]], [[surveying|surveyor]], and circuit [[court clerk]]. Each of these elected officers serves a term of four years and oversees a different part of the county government. Members elected to county government positions are required to declare [[political party|party]] affiliations and to be residents of the county.<ref name = inc2102/> |
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===Town government=== |
===Town government=== |
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Many small communities in Indiana are incorporated as towns. A town includes a three- or five-member |
Many small communities in Indiana are incorporated as towns. A town includes a three- or five-member town council serving primarily the [[legislature|legislative]] function of government. For practical reasons, the town council may share in some of the [[executive (government)|executive]] functions. However, under statute, the role of the executive officer belongs to the president of the town council. The president of the town council is an elected member of the town council, selected by his or her fellow town councillors to lead the council. The council may also appoint a non-partisan [[town manager]] to oversee the day-to-day operations of the municipal government. The council is responsible for setting the town's budget and tax rates, and hiring all town employees. Unlike some states, Indiana town council members must declare a political party affiliation when they file to run for office. Indiana towns also elect clerk/treasurers, who manage town finances. As elected officials, clerk/treasurers operate independently of the town council, but within the council-approved budget. |
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===City government=== |
===City government=== |
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Most larger communities are incorporated as cities. A city can be either a third- or second-class city (the first-class designation is reserved for [[Indianapolis]]). Classification of cities is according to the Indiana Code, differentiated primarily by population. Large cities are first class, medium cities are second class, and small cities are third class. An Indiana city has a [[mayor-council]] form of government, but a third-class city may appoint a city manager. The mayor, elected to a four-year term, serves as the executive. Most mayors in Indiana are elected in partisan elections. The legislative branch consists of a five-, seven-, or nine-member |
Most larger communities are incorporated as cities. A city can be either a third- or second-class city (the first-class designation is reserved for [[Indianapolis]]). Classification of cities is according to the Indiana Code, differentiated primarily by population. Large cities are first class, medium cities are second class, and small cities are third class. An Indiana city has a [[mayor-council]] form of government, but a third-class city may appoint a city manager. The mayor, elected to a four-year term, serves as the executive. Most mayors in Indiana are elected in partisan elections. The legislative branch consists of a five-, seven-, or nine-member city council. Council members serve four-year terms, and may be elected by geographic districts or at-large. Most cities in Indiana use districts. |
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===Township government=== |
===Township government=== |
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{{Main|Indiana |
{{Main|Indiana township trustee}} |
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A township trustee administers the civil government of the township. The trustee is elected by the residents of the township to a term of four years. The trustee is responsible for providing fire protection and ambulance service to [[unincorporated area]]s, providing for poor relief and burial of the indigent, maintaining [[cemetery|cemeteries]] and burial grounds, resolving fencing disputes between neighbors, investigating claims of [[livestock]] killed by dogs, controlling weeds, managing the township budget and financial records, and preparing an annual financial report. The trustee also acts as the [[assessor (property)|property tax assessor]]. Other public matters in which a trustee may sometimes be involved include [[zoning]], parks, libraries, schools, shelters and community centers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://unitedtownships.org/?page_id=22|title=Duties|website=unitedtownships.org|access-date=2016-03-20}}</ref> |
A township trustee administers the civil government of the township. The trustee is elected by the residents of the township to a term of four years. The trustee is responsible for providing fire protection and ambulance service to [[unincorporated area]]s, providing for poor relief and burial of the indigent, maintaining [[cemetery|cemeteries]] and burial grounds, resolving fencing disputes between neighbors, investigating claims of [[livestock]] killed by dogs, controlling weeds, managing the township budget and financial records, and preparing an annual financial report. The trustee also acts as the [[assessor (property)|property tax assessor]]. Other public matters in which a trustee may sometimes be involved include [[zoning]], parks, libraries, schools, shelters and community centers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://unitedtownships.org/?page_id=22|title=Duties|website=unitedtownships.org|access-date=2016-03-20}}</ref> |
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The trustee is assisted by a three-member Township Board whose members are elected to four-year terms. Duties of the board include adopting the annual budget, serving as a |
The trustee is assisted by a three-member Township Board whose members are elected to four-year terms. Duties of the board include adopting the annual budget, serving as a board of finance and approving township contracts. In January of each year, the trustee presents to the board an annual report showing the receipts, expenditures, investments and debts of the township. The approved report is then published in local papers for public inspection.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://unitedtownships.org/?page_id=95|title=Government|website=unitedtownships.org|access-date=2016-03-20}}</ref> |
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==Politics== |
==Politics== |
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{{main|Politics of Indiana}} |
{{main|Politics of Indiana}} |
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[[Indiana]] has long been considered to be a Republican stronghold and is rated R+11 on the [[Cook Partisan Voting Index]]. The current governor of Indiana is Republican [[Eric Holcomb]], and Republicans hold [[supermajority|supermajorities]] in both chambers of the [[Indiana General Assembly]]. It has only supported a [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] for president four times since 1912- in the elections of 1932, 1936, 1964, and 2008. Historically, the state was a swing state, voting for the national winner all but four times from 1816 to 1912, with the exceptions of 1824, 1836, 1848, and 1876.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.270towin.com/states/Indiana | title=Indiana Presidential Election Voting History - 270toWin }}</ref> |
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| ⚫ | Historically, Republicans have been strongest in the eastern and |
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Nonetheless, half of Indiana's governors in the 20th century were Democrats. Indiana has also elected several Democrats to the [[US Senate|Senate]] in recent years. Certain cities, too, tend to favor Democrats; [[Gary, Indiana]] has had a Democratic mayor for the last 77 years. As while only five Democratic presidential nominees have carried Indiana since 1900, 11 Democrats [[List of Governors of Indiana|were elected governor]] during that time. Before [[Mitch Daniels]] became governor in 2005, Democrats had held the office for 16 consecutive years. Since then, however, the office has been held consistently by Republicans. Democrats also generally held control of the [[Indiana House of Representatives]] during the 1990s and 2000s as well. |
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| ⚫ | Indiana's delegation to the [[United States House of Representatives]] is not completely Republican either. Instead, it has generally served as a bellwether for the political movement of the nation. For instance, Democrats held the majority of seats until the 1994 Republican Revolution, when Republicans took a majority. This continued until 2006, when three Republican congressmen were defeated in Indiana; ([[Chris Chocola]], [[John Hostettler]] and [[Mike Sodrel]]), giving the Democrats a majority of the delegation again.<ref>{{cite |
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| ⚫ | Historically, Republicans have been strongest in the eastern and southern portions of the state, as well as the suburbs of the state's major cities. Democrats have been strongest in the northwestern and central parts of the state along with the major cities. However, outside of Indianapolis, the Chicago suburbs, and [[Bloomington, Indiana|Bloomington]]; the state's Democrats tend to be somewhat more conservative than their counterparts in the rest of the country, especially on social issues.{{citation needed|date=October 2010}} |
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Former governor and U.S. Senator [[Evan Bayh]] announced in 2006 his plans for a presidential exploratory committee.<ref>{{cite news | title=Officials: Bayh to take first step in 2008 bid next week | publisher=CNN.com | url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/12/01/bayh.presidency.ap/index.html | accessdate=2006-12-11 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20061206183000/http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/12/01/bayh.presidency.ap/index.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2006-12-06}}</ref> His father was a three-term senator who was turned out of office in the 1980 [[Reagan Revolution]] by conservative Republican (and future [[Vice-President]]) [[Dan Quayle]], a native of [[Huntington, Indiana|Huntington]] in the northeastern part of the state. However, Bayh announced that he would not be seeking the Presidency on December 16, 2006. |
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| ⚫ | Indiana's delegation to the [[United States House of Representatives]] is not completely Republican either. Instead, it has generally served as a bellwether for the political movement of the nation. For instance, Democrats held the majority of seats until the 1994 Republican Revolution, when Republicans took a majority. This continued until 2006, when three Republican congressmen were defeated in Indiana; ([[Chris Chocola]], [[John Hostettler]] and [[Mike Sodrel]]), giving the Democrats a majority of the delegation again.<ref>{{cite news | title=Democrats Take House by a Wide Margin | newspaper=NPR.org | publisher=NPR | url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6455320 | access-date=2006-12-11}}</ref> |
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The state's U.S. Senators are Senior Sen. [[Todd Young]] ([[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]) and Junior Sen. [[Joe Donnelly]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]). Both Senators have proved popular in the state. |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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*{{cite web|url=http://www.IN.gov|title=Indiana's official website|publisher=IN.gov| |
*{{cite web|url=http://www.IN.gov|title=Indiana's official website|publisher=IN.gov|access-date=2008-08-11}} |
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{{Governments of the United States}} |
{{Governments of the United States}} |
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Revision as of 17:09, 29 August 2024
Government of Indiana | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Part of | United States of America |
| Constitution | Constitution of Indiana |
| Legislative branch | |
| Name | General Assembly |
| Type | Bicameral |
| Meeting place | Indiana Statehouse |
| Upper house | |
| Name | Senate |
| Presiding officer | Suzanne Crouch, President |
| Lower house | |
| Name | House of Representatives |
| Presiding officer | Todd Huston, Speaker |
| Executive branch | |
| Head of state and government | |
| Title | Governor |
| Currently | Eric Holcomb |
| Appointer | Election |
| Cabinet | |
| Leader | Governor |
| Deputy leader | Lieutenant Governor |
| Headquarters | Indiana Statehouse |
| Judicial branch | |
| Courts | Courts of Indiana |
| Supreme Court of Indiana | |
| Chief judge | Loretta Rush |
| Seat | Indianapolis |
The government of Indiana is established and regulated by the Constitution of Indiana. The state-level government consists of three branches: the judicial branch, the legislative branch, and the executive branch. The three branches share power and jointly govern the state of Indiana. County and local governments are also constitutional bodies with limited authority to levy taxes, pass legislation, and create and maintain local public infrastructure.
The government of Indiana was first formed in December 1816 and replaced the government of the Indiana Territory. The early government came under criticism beginning as early as the 1820s for having many public offices filled by appointment and lack of delegation of authority to lower officials, requiring state level legislation for things like divorce approval. In 1851 a new constitution was adopted by the state, remedying many of these problems and opening many more office to public election. Significant government reforms were enacted again in 1971 when the state courts were reorganized and new powers were granted to the governor which had historically been a weak institution.
Elections to fill positions in Indiana's government are held on Election Day, with special elections being occasionally held to fill unexpected vacancies. State representatives serve two-year terms, while all other elected state, county, and municipal officials serve four-year terms. Terms are staggered so that elections are held nearly every year, not just in even-numbered years. Most of the positions in the government bureaucracy are filled through the state merit system or the state patronage system.
The government provides a wide range of services including law enforcement, infrastructure construction and maintenance, licensing and registration, tax collection, fire protection, business and utility regulation, utility services, and park and conservation maintenance efforts.
Organization
The government of Indiana sits in the state capital of Indianapolis. Each of the three branches operates out of the Indiana Statehouse. The state maintains several office buildings that hold many of its bureaus and departments. Most of the state's bureaus are located in the Indiana Government Center, a building complex in downtown Indianapolis, located immediately west of the Statehouse.
Legislature
The Indiana General Assembly is the legislative branch of the state of Indiana. It is a bicameral legislature that consists of a lower house, the Indiana House of Representatives, and an upper house, the Indiana Senate. The General Assembly meets annually at the Indiana State House in Indianapolis.
Members of the General Assembly are elected from districts that are realigned every ten years. Representatives serve two-year terms; senators serve four-year terms.[1] Both houses must pass a bill before it can be submitted to the governor and enacted into law.[2]
Judiciary
The Indiana Supreme Court is the highest judicial body in Indiana. The court oversees the lower courts and commissions that jointly make up the judicial branch. The other courts include the Indiana Tax Court, the Indiana Court of Appeals, and circuit, superior, and city or town courts. Every county in the state has a circuit court, in which all matter of suits may be filed, and the larger cities (such as Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, South Bend, Evansville, and Terre Haute) have courts of concurrent jurisdiction that act as superior or municipal courts.[3] The courts are assisted by several commissions that are also part of the judicial branch, including the Judicial Nominating Commission.
Executive
The Governor of Indiana is the chief executive officer of the government of Indiana. Elected to a four-year term, the governor is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day management of the functions of the state government. The governor is assisted by other officials elected to the executive branch including the Lieutenant Governor and the Attorney General. The Governor is Eric Holcomb (R) since 2017, the Lieutenant Governor is Suzanne Crouch (R) since 2017, the Attorney General is Todd Rokita (R) since 2021, the Secretary of State is Diego Morales since 2023, the Treasurer is Daniel Elliott (R) since 2023, and the Auditor is Elise Nieshalla (R) since 2023.
Checks and balances
The Constitution of Indiana has several checks and balances built into its clauses to prevent any one branch of the government from becoming dominant. The governor has the power to veto any bill passed by the General Assembly.[2] The General Assembly has the power to override a veto with a simple majority. The courts have the authority to declare laws unconstitutional and repeal them, while the General Assembly has the power to initiate an amendment to the constitution to override the decision of the courts. Indiana judges are appointed by a commission made up of representatives of the governor and the courts. The courts' jurisdictions can be regulated by the General Assembly.
Administrative divisions
County government
County council: A county council of seven or nine members controls all spending and revenue of the county government. Each county sets their own rules of whether or not a council position is At-Large or divided by districts. The council members serve four-year terms. They are responsible for setting salaries, the annual budget, and special spending. The council also has limited authority to impose local taxes, usually in the form of an income tax that is subject to state-level approval, excise taxes, or service taxes, like those on dining or lodging.[4][5]
Board of commissioners: The executive body consists of three commissioners. The commissioners are elected county-wide, and serve four-year terms, which are usually staggered. One of the commissioners, typically the most senior, serves as president. The commissioners are responsible for carrying out the acts legislated by the council, and for managing the day-to-day functions of the county government.[4][5]
Boards and commissions: Counties also utilize boards and commissions to oversee different aspects of the county. These boards are usually filled by direct election from the public, appointment by the Board of Commissioners, or a combination of both methods. Boards and commissions typically oversee management of water facilities, public roads, and new projects, among other tasks.[6] For example, each school district has a board, whose members are chosen through public election. County school boards are responsible for funding and management of the public school system within their district. The majority of school funding comes from property taxes. The tax rate is subject to state level approval and is capped by law.
Courts: Each county has its own circuit court, formed pursuant to the Indiana state constitution. Some counties have additional courts. The circuit and superior courts are courts of general jurisdiction. Several counties, including Marion County, also have dedicated small claims courts, in addition to city courts and town courts with statutorily-defined jurisdiction.
County officials: The county has several other elected offices; including a sheriff, coroner, auditor, treasurer, recorder, surveyor, and circuit court clerk. Each of these elected officers serves a term of four years and oversees a different part of the county government. Members elected to county government positions are required to declare party affiliations and to be residents of the county.[5]
Town government
Many small communities in Indiana are incorporated as towns. A town includes a three- or five-member town council serving primarily the legislative function of government. For practical reasons, the town council may share in some of the executive functions. However, under statute, the role of the executive officer belongs to the president of the town council. The president of the town council is an elected member of the town council, selected by his or her fellow town councillors to lead the council. The council may also appoint a non-partisan town manager to oversee the day-to-day operations of the municipal government. The council is responsible for setting the town's budget and tax rates, and hiring all town employees. Unlike some states, Indiana town council members must declare a political party affiliation when they file to run for office. Indiana towns also elect clerk/treasurers, who manage town finances. As elected officials, clerk/treasurers operate independently of the town council, but within the council-approved budget.
City government
Most larger communities are incorporated as cities. A city can be either a third- or second-class city (the first-class designation is reserved for Indianapolis). Classification of cities is according to the Indiana Code, differentiated primarily by population. Large cities are first class, medium cities are second class, and small cities are third class. An Indiana city has a mayor-council form of government, but a third-class city may appoint a city manager. The mayor, elected to a four-year term, serves as the executive. Most mayors in Indiana are elected in partisan elections. The legislative branch consists of a five-, seven-, or nine-member city council. Council members serve four-year terms, and may be elected by geographic districts or at-large. Most cities in Indiana use districts.
Township government
A township trustee administers the civil government of the township. The trustee is elected by the residents of the township to a term of four years. The trustee is responsible for providing fire protection and ambulance service to unincorporated areas, providing for poor relief and burial of the indigent, maintaining cemeteries and burial grounds, resolving fencing disputes between neighbors, investigating claims of livestock killed by dogs, controlling weeds, managing the township budget and financial records, and preparing an annual financial report. The trustee also acts as the property tax assessor. Other public matters in which a trustee may sometimes be involved include zoning, parks, libraries, schools, shelters and community centers.[7]
The trustee is assisted by a three-member Township Board whose members are elected to four-year terms. Duties of the board include adopting the annual budget, serving as a board of finance and approving township contracts. In January of each year, the trustee presents to the board an annual report showing the receipts, expenditures, investments and debts of the township. The approved report is then published in local papers for public inspection.[8]
Politics
Indiana has long been considered to be a Republican stronghold and is rated R+11 on the Cook Partisan Voting Index. The current governor of Indiana is Republican Eric Holcomb, and Republicans hold supermajorities in both chambers of the Indiana General Assembly. It has only supported a Democrat for president four times since 1912- in the elections of 1932, 1936, 1964, and 2008. Historically, the state was a swing state, voting for the national winner all but four times from 1816 to 1912, with the exceptions of 1824, 1836, 1848, and 1876.[9]
Nonetheless, half of Indiana's governors in the 20th century were Democrats. Indiana has also elected several Democrats to the Senate in recent years. Certain cities, too, tend to favor Democrats; Gary, Indiana has had a Democratic mayor for the last 77 years. As while only five Democratic presidential nominees have carried Indiana since 1900, 11 Democrats were elected governor during that time. Before Mitch Daniels became governor in 2005, Democrats had held the office for 16 consecutive years. Since then, however, the office has been held consistently by Republicans. Democrats also generally held control of the Indiana House of Representatives during the 1990s and 2000s as well.
Historically, Republicans have been strongest in the eastern and southern portions of the state, as well as the suburbs of the state's major cities. Democrats have been strongest in the northwestern and central parts of the state along with the major cities. However, outside of Indianapolis, the Chicago suburbs, and Bloomington; the state's Democrats tend to be somewhat more conservative than their counterparts in the rest of the country, especially on social issues.[citation needed]
Indiana's delegation to the United States House of Representatives is not completely Republican either. Instead, it has generally served as a bellwether for the political movement of the nation. For instance, Democrats held the majority of seats until the 1994 Republican Revolution, when Republicans took a majority. This continued until 2006, when three Republican congressmen were defeated in Indiana; (Chris Chocola, John Hostettler and Mike Sodrel), giving the Democrats a majority of the delegation again.[10]
See also
- Politics of Indiana
- Governor of Indiana
- Indiana General Assembly
- Indiana Supreme Court
- Constitution of Indiana
- Political party strength in Indiana
References
- ^ – via Wikisource.
- ^ a b "How a Bill Becomes a Law" (PDF). Indiana Chamber of Commerce. 2008. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
- ^ Bamberger; Feibleman (August 1948). "Aspects of Practice in Various States (Part Three)". Commercial Law Journal.
- ^ a b Indiana Code Title 36, Article 2, Section 3 Archived 2008-10-05 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b c Indiana Code Title 2, Article 10, Section 2-13 Archived 2008-10-29 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Boards and Commissions". www.allencounty.us. Retrieved 2017-06-19.
- ^ "Duties". unitedtownships.org. Retrieved 2016-03-20.
- ^ "Government". unitedtownships.org. Retrieved 2016-03-20.
- ^ "Indiana Presidential Election Voting History - 270toWin".
- ^ "Democrats Take House by a Wide Margin". NPR.org. NPR. Retrieved 2006-12-11.
External links
- "Indiana's official website". IN.gov. Retrieved 2008-08-11.
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