The Indiana Supreme Court ruled last month that the Indiana legislature had overstepped its jurisdiction in 2017, when it barred Bloomington from annexing any part of Monroe Country through 2022.
Mayor John Hamilton had announced plans to expand city limits for the first time in more than a decade. Then, the general assembly passed legislation prohibiting annexation for the first 6 months of that year.
Sen. Shelli Yoder represents District 40, which encompasses Monroe County, and she used to serve on the county council. She says the legislative action is part of a pattern of state lawmakers over-stepping boundaries.
“That forbids the community from having a say on what the community will look like," she says. "Those conversations are important.”
Yoder says limiting city borders also limits who has access to city drinking water and filtration systems, which negatively affects people on the periphery of the city.
Yoder adds if Republican lawmakers push for legislation that promotes uniformity in how businesses are treated, the same should be considered for housing and educational opportunities.
Emma Atkinson contributed to this report.
