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Braun, Brown introduce bipartisan bill to restore retirement benefits for Delphi Salaried Employees

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Braun, Brown introduce bipartisan bill to restore retirement benefits for Delphi Salaried Employees

WASHINGTON– Today, U.S. Senators Mike Braun and Sherrod Brown led the introduction of the Susan Muffley Act, bipartisan legislation to restore retirement benefits to over 20,000 Delphi Salaried Retirees. When General Motors filed for bankruptcy during the Great Recession, the U.S. Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation (PBGC) assumed responsibility for the terminated benefits but could not pay an individual more than a statutory maximum benefit. Therefore, retirees experienced significant losses to their benefits, affecting 20,000 Delphi Salaried Retirees, including more than 4,000 retirees in Indiana and 5,000 retirees in Ohio.

“Over 20,000 Delphi salaried retirees, including 4,000 Hoosiers, lost their retirement benefits at no fault of their own. This bipartisan legislation is a long overdue effort that would restore pensions rightfully earned by these American workers,” said Sen. Braun.

“After years of work by workers and retirees in Ohio and Michigan, it’s past time to restore the full benefits of the Delphi Salaried Retirees,” said Sen. Brown. “I’ll keep working with members of both parties and the White House to get results for these retirees.”

This legislation—supported by Republicans and Democrats in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives—would restore the terminated pensions, making the retirees whole. This bill would make up the difference between the pension benefits earned by Delphi Salaried Retirees and what they received following the GM bankruptcy in 2009. This means beneficiaries who have already begun receiving benefits will receive a lump sum payment of the difference between what was actually paid by PBGC and what would have been paid without the limitations, plus interest. Retirees may pay income taxes on this lump sum over three years to ease the tax burden. All beneficiaries will receive their full earned benefit amount moving forward.

In addition to Braun and Brown, U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Todd Young (R-IN), Bob Casey (D-PA), and John Fetterman (D-PA) will introduce the legislation in the Senate. U.S. Representatives Dan Kilde (D-MI-8) and Mike Turner (R-OH-10) introduced the legislation in the House of Representatives.

For over a decade, the Delphi Salaried Retirees have been fighting to restore their benefits. In September 2009, the Delphi Salaried Retirees Association (DSRA) filed a lawsuit against the PBGC to restore their pension benefits. After losing decisions at lower courts, the DSRA petitioned to take their case to the U.S. Supreme Court, which declined to hear the case in January 2022. Congressional action is now the only option for restoring their pensions.

The legislation is named after Susan Muffley, who was part of the DSRA’s core leadership in the effort to restore their pensions. Her husband, David, worked at Delphi as an electronics technician for 31 years, but lost the full value of his pension in 2009. Despite health problems, Susan avoided seeing her doctor given her family’s financial constraints due to losing their pension. She was ultimately diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and passed away on August 9, 2012.

There are over 20,000 affected Delphi retirees across the country, including:

Michigan: 5,859

Ohio: 5,181

Indiana: 4,044

New York: 2,337

Florida: 801

Texas: 564

Alabama: 564

Wisconsin: 405

Mississippi: 387

Arizona: 198

North Carolina: 156

Tennessee: 156

California: 153

South Carolina: 147

Georgia: 141

Pennsylvania: 117

Other States: 672

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Ivy Tech Plans Scholarship and FAFSA Day July 25

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Ivy Tech Plans Scholarship and FAFSA Day July 25

Evansville, IN –New and continuing students at Ivy Tech Community College have all the assistance they will need to get funding for going to college, at Ivy Tech’s First Scholarship and FAFSA Day, July 25, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

This Tuesdays@theTech event will be in the Koch Student Center in Ivy Tech’s main building at 3501 N. First Avenue in Evansville.

Any student who plans to attend Ivy Tech this fall, will be able to be considered for scholarships if applying by the priority deadline of Aug. 4. Individuals will be on hand to assist students with writing the scholarship essay; and also, filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) if they have not done so.

Fall Scholarships will be awarded prior to the start of classes on Aug. 14. One lucky person filling out the FAFSA at the event will win a $1,000 scholarship.

For additional information, contact Caleb Fendrich, Ivy Tech director of financial aid, at cfendrich@ivytech.edu

 

Attorney General Todd Rokita and team sue Indianapolis apartment complex over negligent disregard of tenants’ living conditions

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Attorney General Todd Rokita and his Homeowner Protection Unit team have filed a civil lawsuit against the owners and property managers of Willow Brook Apartments in Indianapolis — alleging that they have habitually failed to respond to residents’ maintenance calls, allowed conditions to become uninhabitable, failed to provide executed lease agreements, and improperly billed tenants.

“We are here to protect Hoosiers,” Attorney General Rokita said. “That’s why we regularly take action against businesses doing harm to consumers through either negligent or willful misconduct, and this case represents just one more instance in which we are defending the rule of law and standing up for the little guy. This case represents yet another example of out-of-state real estate investors seeking to put their heel on the neck of working-class Hoosiers. Our office will not allow that kind of conduct to continue.” 

Defendants in this case are Willow Brook Gardens LLC, the property owner, and Beztak Properties, the property management company, who the lawsuit alleges are not registered to do business in Indiana and are also operating without a required real estate broker company license. The mortgage assignee, U.S. Bank N.A. — as trustee for a mortgage-backed security underwritten by Freddie Mac — is also named as a defendant to assert any interest it may have in the property.

The complex, which consists of 48 townhomes, is located at 2121 E. 52nd St., Indianapolis.

Allegations of uninhabitable conditions and unresponsive property management personnel have been corroborated by civil actions initiated by Health and Hospital Corporation of Marion County. Violations cited by local authorities include issues associated with the facility’s plumbing, electrical wiring, foundation, moisture control, and utility shutoffs.

Marion County’s Health and Hospital Environmental Court has ordered judgments against Willow Brook Gardens LLC on Jan. 24, 2023, and May 9, 2023.  

Neither Willow Brook Gardens LLC nor Beztak Properties have responded substantively to authorities’ efforts to communicate with them about issues at the apartment complex. Residents also report that management is absent and unresponsive to requests for assistance.

The lawsuit alleges that the defendants’ conduct violates Indiana’s Deceptive Consumer Sales Act and the Home Loan Practices Act.

Attorney General Rokita thanked members of his team for their hard work. Overseeing the Homeowner Protection Unit is Section Chief Chase Haller. The State of Indiana is represented in the lawsuit by Assistant Section Chief of the Homeowner Protection Unit Timothy Weber and Deputy Attorney General Regan Perrodin. Further, HPU Investigator Molly Jefford also worked on this matter.

“In each instance in which defendants renew or sign a new lease with a tenant, they do so with the knowledge that they have been deficient at meeting their basic legal obligations to their tenants all the while they continue to unfairly collect rent and line their pockets,” Haller said. “Such activity is unfair, deceptive and abusive to their tenant residents. Our unit has a duty to protect vulnerable Hoosiers who are simply trying to keep a stable roof over their heads, and we take that duty very seriously.”   

This lawsuit primarily aims to force the defendants to make good on their obligations to tenants. Alternatively, Attorney General Rokita and his team will seek a court-ordered receivership of the defendants’ assets if they are noncooperative or otherwise prove unable to meet their legal obligations to tenants.

The lawsuit — which is attached — also seeks costs and civil penalties.

The mission of the Homeowner Protection Unit is to protect the rights of all individuals involved in the housing market, including tenants, homeowners, and aspiring homeowners, by investigating and redressing deceptive acts in connection with mortgage lending and violations of relevant state and federal laws. The unit strives to ensure equal access to housing opportunities for Hoosiers and promote the proper functioning of homeowner’s associations. The unit works closely with law enforcement agencies at all levels to ensure justice is served and homeowners and tenants are protected.

EPD URGING DRIVERS TO SLOW DOWN

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Evansville, Ind. — This summer, the Evansville Police Department is teaming up with other law enforcement agencies in Indiana to keep drivers and passengers safe by raising awareness about the dangers of speeding and urging drivers to obey speed limits.

From July 10 to July 31, Evansville Police Officers will be on high alert for speeding vehicles while participating in the Speeding Slows You Down campaign (Blitz 119), funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) through the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI).

Not only is speeding illegal, it’s also deadly. In 2021, speeding killed 252 people in Indiana, accounting for more than one-quarter of all crash fatalities. Tragically, there was a dramatic increase (15%) in speeding-related crash fatalities from 2021-2022.

Preliminary data shows that in 2022, speeding killed 290 people in Indiana, with nearly 300 fatalities projected in 2023. The Evansville Police Department wants to remind drivers that, no matter how seasoned you are as a driver, ultimately, Speeding Slows You Down.

Much like impaired driving, speeding can have deadly consequences for the driver, passengers, and pedestrians. Speeding reduces a driver’s ability to steer safely around another vehicle, a hazardous object, or an unexpected curve. Even the safest cars with the newest technologies are limited in how much they can help reduce the odds of a crash.

“Speed limit signs are not suggestions, they are the law. “They are posted for the safety of the driver and others. Unfortunately, we see people speeding every day,” said Sgt. Anna Gray with the Evansville Police Department.

*For more information, please visit www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/speeding.

Virtual Author Talk: Charles Soule

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You’re invited to an awe-inspiring chat with New York Times bestselling author Charles Soule as he talks about his newest book, The Endless Vessel, which explores the way we’re all connected—and what can happen when we lose our capacity for joy.

The Endless Vessel transports us to a few years from now, in a world similar to ours, where there exists a sort of “depression plague” that people refer to simply as “The Grey.” No one can predict whom it will afflict or how, but once infected, there’s no coming back.  A young Hong Kong-based scientist, Lily Barnes, is trying to maintain her inner light in an increasingly dark world. The human race is dwindling, and people fighting to push forward are increasingly rare. One day, Lily comes across something that seems to be addressing her directly, calling to her, asking her to follow a path to whatever lies at its end. Is this the Endless Vessel that leads to happiness? She leaves her life behind and sets out through time and space to find out.

Charles Soule artfully channels history, science, and drama to create a story for the ages—a story of hope and love, and possibility.

About the Author: Charles Soule is a New York-based, #1 New York Times-best-selling novelist, comic book writer, musician, and former attorney. While he has worked for DC and other publishers, he is best known for writing Daredevil, She-Hulk, Death of Wolverine, and various Star Wars comics from Marvel Comics and his creator-owned series Eight Billion Genies and Curse Words (with Ryan Browne), Undiscovered Country (with Scott Snyder & Giuseppe Camuncoli), Letter 44 (with Alberto Jimenez Alburquerque) and the Shrouded College series (with Will Sliney), which began with Book I: Hell to Pay in November 2022.

His first novel, The Oracle Year, was released in April 2018 by the Harper Perennial imprint of HarperCollins. His second novel, Anyone, was released in November 2019. His third original novel is The Endless Vessel.

Vanderburgh County Arrest Warrants

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Courier Warrants

EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT

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EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT

MEDIA

FOOTNOTE:  EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.

EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT

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FOOTNOTE:  EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.

“IS IT TRUE” JULY 12, 2023

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dottedline600.gifWe hope that today’s “IS IT TRUE” will provoke honest and open dialogue concerning issues that we, as responsible citizens of this community, need to address in a rational and responsible way.

City-County Observer Comment Policy. Be kind to people. No personal attacks or harassment will be tolerated and will be removed from our site.”
We understand that sometimes people don’t always agree and discussions may become a little heated.  The use of offensive language, or insults against commenters will not be tolerated and will be removed from our site.

tmobilespace.gifIS IT TRUE THAT we have an outstanding group of law enforcement professionals that are doing everything they can to protect us?  …It’s almost impossible for members of law enforcement to stop anyone from killing themselves or someone else?  …It’s obvious that it’s time for our elected officials to look for more creative ways to help our law enforcement professionals so they can do a better job-fighting crime?

IS IT TRUE that we have been told by several reliable sources that when Tamra Barney retires as the CEO of the Evansville Regional Economic Partnership outgoing Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke may be the leading candidate as her replacement?  …we are also told that Ms. Barney’s annual salary may be around 2 1/2 times higher than what Mayor Winnecke is currently making?

IS IT TRUE that the City of Evansville has seemly allowed the EPA to pussyfoot around with the lead contamination issue in the Jacobsville area for many years? …the real tragedy is that lead poisoning can be treated, but any damage caused by contaminated lead cannot be reversed?
IS IT TRUE we are told that many people are extremely pleased with the way that Vanderburgh County Superior Court Judge Tom Massey is conducting himself on the bench?
IS IT TRUE that one word that some local elected officials can’t say when they are discussing budget requests is the word “NO”?
IS IT TRUE that one of the favorite tactics that a few locally elected officials love doing when discussing an upcoming public works project is relying on using the ole “Bait And Switch” method?
IS IT TRUE that soccer is an international sport and the Evansville area has enjoyed some very good college and high school soccer teams over the years?  …It might be time for area soccer enthusiasts to start discussing the idea of starting a professional soccer team in our area?
IS IT TRUE that a well-respected local entrepreneur recently wrote a “Letter To The CCO Editor”?  …that he brought up the obvious poor maintenance issues at the Evansville City Parks?  …that he researched and documented the poor conditions of our parks?  …that we give local citizen and entrepreneur Daniel Woods 5 cheers for standing up and speaking his mind concerning the obvious poor maintenance issues at our city parks?
IS IT TRUE that we give City Councilman and Finance Chairman Ron Beane 5 cheers for expressing his strong objection concerning giving a last-minute Tax Credit to a company building a “Low-Income Housing” project in Evansville?  …that Councilman Beane was upset because he felt that this request looks like a “Bait and Switch” maneuver?
IS IT TRUE that we hope one day that mainstream media will consider doing an investigative article concerning the over-aggressive debt collection practices of some of our area medical providers?
IS IT TRUE that several years ago ProPublica publication claimed that medical bills are often riddled with errors? …that they also suggest that you should ask your medical provider if they have a financial assistance policy, which could result in a sliding scale discount or a more flexible and affordable payment schedule?
IS IT TRUE that the Knight Township Trustee, Katherine Martin, her staff and Board members are doing an amazing job in serving the needs of the economically disadvanced in their area?
IS IT TRUE that it may be time for the more financially analytical citizens of Evansville/Vanderburgh County to do a causal budget overview in order to get a reasonable projection on the final costs to finish the City Of Evansville Water and Sewer project?  …we have been told that this project may be several millions of dollars over budget?  …if the powers that be don’t get a handle concerning the excessive spending practices of this project the ratepayers could buy a gallon of Jack Daniels cheaper than a gallon of water from Evansville Water And Sewer Department?
IS IT TRUE that we wonder how on earth can elected officials in a city that has ZERO population growth and minimal wage growth feel that they can collect more tax money and increase the Water and Sewer rates by a measurable amount of money than the year before from its huddled masses?
IS IT TRUE that the heroin, opioid, and fentanyl epidemic continues to claim lives in the City of Evansville/Vanderburgh County has to be driving the Vanderburgh County Coroner nuts?…it looks like 2023 is going to end the year with a major increase in deaths due to opioids, heroin, or Fentanyl overdoses?
IS IT TRUE that the Vanderburgh County Surveyor Linda Freeman and her staff are really doing an outstanding job for the taxpayer of this Community?
IS IT TRUE we hope that the newly hired CEO of the Evansville Sports Corporation will do extensive homework before allowing his organization to bring another less than financially successful National Sporting Event to the Ford Center?
IS IT TRUE that the Evansville city employees’ hospitalization fund has been insufficiently underfunded over many years? …we have been told the city’s employees’ hospitalization fund, from which city employee medical claims are paid, could have a serious negative financial balance at the end of this year?
IS IT TRUE that when a male officeholder takes a stand against a controversial issue some male voters call him strong?  …when a female officeholder takes a stand against a controversial issue some male voters call her irrational?
IS IT TRUE that Pickleball injuries may cost Americans many millions in health care costs this year?  …that Pickleball is especially risky for seniors, who tend to be more injury-prone and who, apparently, really really love the game?  …that healthcare providers feel Pickleball exercise will positively impact health outcomes, but seniors can pose a greater risk of sports injuries, leading to a greater number of orthopedic procedures?  …we suggest that our seniors play Pickleball with caution?

IS IT TRUE that many years ago the city-owned and operated Oak Hill and Locust Hill cemeteries were in poor conditions?  …that we recently checked the overall condition of these two cemeteries?  …we are happy to report that major improvements have been made to both of these cemeteries over the years?   …that trees are trimmed, grounds are very well kept, graves markers and stones are in an upright position, and the flower vases are neatly installed on top of grave markers? …we would like to give Christopher Cooke, Superintendent of City Cemeteries, and his staff five (5) cheers for a job well done?

IS IT TRUE that the Evansville City Clerk, Laura Windhorst, and her staff are really doing a credible job of coming up with new ways of improving public accessibility to City Council meetings and convenient online payment methods?   …. when an elected official does an outstanding job they usually run unopposed for re-election?
FOOTNOTE:  Please take time and read our articles entitled “Statehouse Files”, Law Enforcement, Weekly Birthday, Hot Jobs, and “Local Sports”.  
You now are able to subscribe to get the free City-County Observer daily.  Please go to the top upper right corner of the front page of the CCO and click the “Subscribe” link to sign up.
If you would like to advertise on the CCO don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at City-CountyObserver@live.com.

 

 

Todd Rokita and team make national impact by leading fight against woke anti-consumer ESG strategies

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Attorney General Todd Rokita’s leadership of a 17-state effort opposing the anti-capitalism and anti-consumer schemes of so-called ESG investing has helped prompt action at the federal level.

“Our team here in Indiana works hard to protect liberty, free enterprise and the rule of law,” Attorney General Rokita said. “With servants’ hearts, we aspire each day to defend the interests of individual Hoosiers across the state. And through collaboration with other states, we make a positive difference for all Americans.”

In May, Attorney General Rokita co-led a multistate motion to intervene in the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC’s) dealings with BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager. BlackRock has sought to force a radical climate agenda on American utility companies.

Following that action, a group of 11 U.S. senators has also demanded that FERC investigate BlackRock’s actions — and BlackRock’s CEO has begun backpedaling from the company’s past record.

This month, Attorney General Rokita and other attorneys general penned a letter to BlackRock Mutual Funds trustees warning them of potential deceptive and unfair acts and practices — and violations of state securities laws and state common law. 

ESG investing seeks to impose an “environmental, social and governance” agenda that could not otherwise be implemented through the ballot box.

At least one of the 11 senators demanding the FERC investigation cited the17-state motion to intervene as inspiring the senators’ letter.

Previously, BlackRock has signed onto activist crusades such as Climate Action 100+ (CA100+) and the Net Zero Asset Managers (NZAM) initiatives — which seek to coordinate shareholder voting power across their membership to influence the operations of utilities.

“Ultimately, the radical activists would force utilities to retire all of their gas and coal plants,” Attorney General Rokita said. “But gas and coal represent over 60% of America’s electricity supply. Losing this energy would weaken our country and raise utility bills for regular Americans, including elderly Hoosiers on fixed incomes.”

Further, he added, the ESG strategies diminish the value of retirees’ investment accounts.

According to news reports, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink proposed replacing the term “ESG” with “conscientious capitalism” because of the negative perceptions of the former term.

“Whatever you call it, an investment strategy aimed at achieving woke left-wing outcomes rather than maximizing returns for investors is bad news,” Attorney General Rokita said. “There’s no point trying to put lipstick on that pig.”

Aside from the BlackRock example, Attorney General Rokita has also led efforts against ESG investing in other cases — filing another motion to intervene in a case involving the Vanguard Group, for example, and filing a lawsuit against the Biden administration over a Department of Labor rule.

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