Finding consensus, struggling with conflict at legislative halfway mark
As Indiana lawmakers prepare for the second half of the session, several key issues are awaiting further review.
Transportation
Articles
GOP rallies solidly against Democrats’ virus relief package
Republicans rallied solidly against Democrats’ proposed $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill as lawmakers awaited a decision by the Senate’s parliamentarian that could bolster or potentially kill a pivotal provision hiking the federal minimum wage.
Lake County seeks repayment for police fugitive manhunt
A northwestern Indiana county is seeking repayment of more than $30,000 from a private transport company for a manhunt police mounted after a fugitive escaped while being extradited from Texas.
Gearing up: Automated driving technology experts offer advice, anticipation for future
As new vehicle models are released each year, automated driving technologies become increasingly available to consumers. Experts say attorneys will need to familiarize themselves with the evolving technology to be equipped for future cases and how it may fundamentally change their practices.
Senate confirms Pete Buttigieg as transportation secretary
Former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg won Senate approval Tuesday as transportation secretary, the first openly gay person to be confirmed to a Cabinet post. He’ll be tasked with advancing President Joe Biden’s ambitious agenda of rebuilding the nation’s infrastructure and fighting climate change.
Senate set to confirm Buttigieg for transportation secretary
The Senate is poised to approve former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg to be transportation secretary, the first openly gay person ever confirmed to a Cabinet post, tasked with advancing President Joe Biden’s wide-ranging agenda of rebuilding the nation’s infrastructure and fighting climate change.
COA reverses ruling for INDOT, allows negligence case to proceed
Summary judgment for the state on a negligence claim brought by an injured motorist has been reversed after the Indiana Court of Appeals rejected an immunity claim and found that material factual issues remain.
Tax Court allows motor carriers’ refund case to proceed
Three motor carriers can proceed with their claims for a tax refund from the state, the Indiana Tax Court has ruled.
Biden pick for transportation, Buttigieg, advances in Senate
A Senate panel on Wednesday easily advanced President Joe Biden’s nomination of former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg to be transportation secretary, setting up a final confirmation vote for a key role in Biden’s push to rebuild the nation’s infrastructure and confront climate change.
Buttigieg aims for ‘generational’ change at Transportation
President Joe Biden’s nominee for secretary of transportation, former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, is pledging to carry out the administration’s ambitious agenda to rebuild the nation’s infrastructure, calling it a “generational opportunity” to create new jobs, fight economic inequality and stem climate change.
Rule change redefines service animals, bars those for emotional support
A new rule introduced by the U.S. Department of Transportation in December has revised the Air Carrier Access Act, redefining what constitutes a service animal on airplanes.
Barkdull, Egan and Rivin: Utilizing P3s to finance transportation projects
How can Indiana fund much-needed infrastructure improvements? Governmental entities across the country have endorsed the idea of combining the resources of the public and private sectors through “public-private partnerships” (P3s) to finance and manage America’s crumbling infrastructure.
Groth: Insurance strategies for transportation companies
Steve Groth offers some suggestions that might help transportation companies lower their overall risk management costs.
Judge dismisses criminal counts in Missouri duck boat deaths
A federal judge has dismissed neglect and misconduct charges against three employees of a tourist boat that sank on a Missouri lake in 2018, killing 17 people, including nine members of an Indianapolis family.
DTCI: Flipping the Paradigm: Presenting Subsequent Remedial Measures as a Defense to Punitive Damage Claims against Motor Carriers
The legendary Green Bay Packers coach, Vince Lombardi, is credited with saying, “Hope is not a strategy.” The trucking industry and those who defend it need to move beyond merely hoping that the jury will be convinced that the plaintiffs have failed to carry their burden of proof on punitives. Recent verdict history shows that arguing that the conduct at issue “wasn’t that bad” often fails.
Indiana scraps plans to buy land for Ohio River port site
Indiana has scrapped plans to buy land at an Ohio River site under consideration for the state’s newest shipping port, Gov. Eric Holcomb announced Thursday.
Justices uphold $40K damages verdict despite challenged jury instruction
A man awarded $40,000 after a crash involving an 18-wheeler will not get a second damages trial after the Indiana Supreme Court rejected his challenge to a damages-mitigation jury instruction.
Judge recommends criminal count dismissal in duck boat case
A federal magistrate judge has recommended that criminal charges be dismissed against three men indicted over a duck boat sinking on a Missouri lake that killed 17 people two summers ago, including nine members of an Indianapolis family.
Federal judge rejects indicted ex-Celadon exec’s vacation plans
A federal judge has denied a request by a former executive of now-defunct Celadon Group Inc. to travel to a Mexican resort for a birthday celebration while he is awaiting trial on multiple fraud charges.
COA: Good Samaritan Law shields trucker who stopped on foggy road to call 911
The Indiana Court of Appeals has partially reversed the denial of summary judgment to a truck driver involved in a car accident after finding both he and his employer are entitled to protection under the Good Samaritan Law. The case attracted an amicus brief from the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association.