Indiana Governor Signs Multiple Executive Orders To Help Hoosiers

Thursday, March 19, 2020 at 1:42 PM

School closures, economic relief, and unemployment are among the areas Gov. Holcomb touched on.

(Indianapolis, Ind.) – Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb is taking additional unprecedented actions in attempt to protect Hoosiers during the COVID-19 outbreak.

On Thursday, the governor signed executive orders that extend the closure of schools, provide economic relief and protections for individuals and businesses and expand unemployment insurance benefits for those impacted by job loss.

“Every day we learn more about how to tackle this monster. We are being thoughtful about how to approach every action we are taking in this national public health emergency and putting Hoosiers’ health and safety first,” said Gov. Holcomb.

Governor Holcomb is extending the current State of Emergency an additional 30 days when it expires on April 5.

Additionally, the governor has ordered that all Indiana schools remain closed until May 1.

As far as the economy is concerned, the State of Indiana is delaying state income tax payments from April 15 to July 15. Penalties will be waived for 60 days for property tax paid after May 11.

The state will not immediately move forward with using $300 million in reserves to pay for several capital projects. Those funds will instead be utilized as needed for relief efforts and to maintain current services.

Indiana small businesses are eligible for financial assistance under a disaster designation by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The program provides targeted, low-interest loans of up to $2 million to help small businesses and nonprofits overcome the temporary loss of revenue as a result of coronavirus

During these uncertain times, the Department of Workforce Development will allow individuals to continue to accrue unemployment eligibility if they take work leave because of COVID-19.

Governor Holcomb also announced Thursday that no residential eviction proceedings or foreclosure actions may be initiated during the public health emergency.

Other actions impact social services, insurance, Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Veterans, and health and professional licensing. Governor Holcomb also supports postponing the May 5 primary election, although no official announcement was made.

To date, 380 Hoosiers have been tested for Coronavirus. Fifty-six people have tested positive for the virus and two people have died.

“As we increase the number of tests analyzed each day, no one should be caught off guard that the number of positive cases will increase,” said Dr. Kris Box, state health commissioner. “This will help us know where community spread is occurring in Indiana and help us mobilize resources in affected areas.”

For more information, visit www.in.gov.