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Sullivan’s Bill Paves Way For Personal Delivery Robots Passes Out Of The House

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The Indiana House of Representatives voted 95-0 to advance State Rep. Holli Sullivan’s (R-Evansville) legislation that would pave the way for local governments to begin partnering with companies to utilize autonomous delivery robots in communities throughout the state.

According to FedEx, on average, more than 60 percent of small businesses’ consumers live within three miles of a store location and expect more products to be delivered to their home. To support the use of this growing technology, Sullivan’s bill would set up guidelines for device regulations, acceptable roadway routes and local government involvement.

“The pandemic highlighted the importance of businesses thinking outside the box to get their products to Hoosiers’ doorsteps,” Sullivan said. “This bill sets up a framework to help local cities and towns partner with businesses, like FedEx and Amazon, to decide if this new delivery technology is the right fit and how best to deploy it.”

Sullivan said a personal delivery device is a robot that delivers goods to consumers through contactless methods. She said each device has different specifications depending on its service provider and types of goods it’s meant to carry. FedEx’s robot, named Roxo, stands approximately four feet tall, is able to carry up to 100 pounds, travels within a five-mile radius and can climb steps and curbs to deliver packages. In comparison, Amazon’s electronic robot, called the Amazon Scout, is smaller and drives best along sidewalks in neighborhoods. Hoosiers could order takeout, groceries or receive small or large packages. Sullivan said even before COVID-19, there was a growing need for on-demand, hyper-local delivery services, but now the pandemic has highlighted the importance of alternative ways for Hoosiers to receive online purchases.

According to Sullivan, House Bill 1072 would also include safeguards, allowing neighborhoods to voice their support or concern if a program were to start in their community and establishing requirements for devices to have such as cameras, headlights, turn signals, accessibility and more.

By implementing these devices, Sullivan said she also expects it to generate more jobs as people would be needed to maintain or repair each device, analyze data and monitor the devices’ operation.

“Indiana invests a large amount of money in K-12 STEM education, and we are nationally known for some amazing higher education institutions,” Sullivan said. “Having this kind of innovation would create job opportunities for those students, and encourage them to continue living and working in Indiana.”

UE Faculty Senate Releases Results of Faculty Poll on Realignment

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UE Faculty Senate Releases Results of Faculty Poll on Realignment

Daniel Byrne, Secretary-Treasurer UE AAUP

Evansville— 2/3/21 —The University of Evansville (UE) Faculty Senate has released the results of a faculty poll on the university’s ongoing realignment process. The poll was conducted between Wednesday, January 27th and Sunday, January 31st. Seventy faculty members participated in the poll.

Of the seventy respondents, twenty-three (33%) said that they had met with a senior administrator todiscuss the draft academic realignment plan. Four of those twenty-three (17%) reported that the President had been present at one or more of those meetings. When asked whether they would characterize the meetings they attended as “meaningful and productive,” seven of the twenty-three (30%) responded affirmatively and sixteen responded negatively. The seven who found their meetings to be “meaningful and productive” praised EVPAA Dr. Michael Austin for his interest in their proposals.

Of the sixteen faculty members who felt otherwise, a number commented that their questions went unanswered at their meetings.

The poll also asked the faculty if they approve of the draft academic realignment plan. Sixty-eight faculty members answered this question and sixty-two (91%) said that they do not approve of that plan. Among the negative responses, the most oft-cited problems with the plan were the incompleteness of the data from which the plan was constructed and the lack of faculty involvement in the construction of the plan.

Of the six positive responses, a number noted the need for the university to achieve financial stability.

The next question asked faculty members if they are concerned about the future of tenure at the University of Evansville. Sixty of the sixty-nine respondents (87%) said that they are. Many of those sixty expressed worries regarding the attitudes of the President and the Board of Trustees towards tenure.

Among the nine who are not concerned about the future of tenure at the university, there was little consensus, but some did point to the fiscal challenges being faced by the President and the Board.

The last question in the poll asked, “How do you believe the faculty should respond to the realignment plan going forward?” This question elicited a wide range of responses. The common themes within themajority of the responses were the need for the faculty to continue to push back against the President’s plan, the importance of public action, and support for the university’s AAUP chapter.

We, the UE chapter of the AAUP, thank the Senate for conducting this extremely helpful poll. We would also like to thank each and every faculty member who took the time to participate in the poll. The results offered a variety of perspectives on the realignment process and all were helpful and valuable.

As the realignment process moves forward, we hope that more such polls will be conducted.

To learn more:

• Visit our website at saveue.com • Follow us on Facebook at Save UE

• Follow us on Twitter at @Save_UE • Follow us on Instagram at save.ue

• E-mail us at ueaaup@gmail.com

Visit IndianaUnclaimed.Gov on First-Ever National Unclaimed Property Day

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Today, on the first-ever National Unclaimed Property Day, Attorney General Todd Rokita is encouraging Hoosiers to visit IndianaUnclaimed.gov and search for unclaimed property.

The Office of the Attorney General’s Unclaimed Property Division has millions of dollars of unclaimed property to return to Hoosiers who take the time to search for their property at IndianaUnclaimed.gov. Searching for property takes just a few minutes and costs no money.

Attorney General Rokita is the only attorney general in the United States to oversee a state’s unclaimed property program. A longtime proponent of fiscal responsibility, Attorney General Rokita is committed to reuniting Hoosiers with their property.

Last year, the Office’s Unclaimed Property Division received more than $128 million in property and returned more than $55 million to Hoosiers. Millions of dollars’ worth of property is just waiting to be claimed at IndianaUnclaimed.gov by rightful owners, Attorney General Rokita said.

“It is a unique mission of this office to hold our citizens’ unclaimed property and to make sure it gets back into their hands, and I am committed to carrying out this responsibility with integrity and efficiency,” Attorney General Rokita said. “Our Office has made it extraordinarily easy for Hoosiers to search for and claim their property. I encourage all Indiana residents to visit IndianaUnclaimed.gov to get started.”

Generally, unclaimed property is defined as a financial asset with no activity by its owner for an extended period. This includes unclaimed wages or commissions, savings and checking accounts, stock dividends, insurance proceeds, underlying shares, customer deposits or overpayments, certificates of deposit, credit balances, refunds, money orders, and safe deposit box contents.

In most cases, unclaimed property is held by the state for 25 years. After 25 years, unclaimed property can no longer be claimed and becomes the property of the state. To prevent property from becoming abandoned or unclaimed, Attorney General Rokita recommends Hoosiers do the following:

  • Keep a record of all bank accounts;
  • Indicate your interest in and awareness of all accounts by contacting the holder (the company that reported the unclaimed funds to the state) at least once every three years;
  • Record all stock certificates and be sure to cash all dividends received;
  • Record all utility deposits, including telephone, cable, and electricity deposits; and
  • Cash all checks promptly, no matter how small.

If you file a claim at IndianaUnclaimed.gov, please allow up to 90 days for your claim to process.

For more information about the Office’s Unclaimed Property Division, visit IndianaUnclaimed.gov. You may also contact the Unclaimed Property Division at 1-866-462-5246 or updmail@atg.in.gov.

You may also like and/or follow the Unclaimed Property Division on Facebook by clicking here.

McNamara’s Bill Getting Hoosiers Back To Work, Bad Drivers Off The Road

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The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee recently voted to support State Rep. Wendy McNamara’s (R-Evansville) legislation helping Hoosiers with suspended licenses get back on track.

According to the Indiana Prosecutor Case Management System, driving with a suspended license has been the top misdemeanor every year from 2015 to 2019. McNamara worked with Gov. Eric Holcomb on House Bill 1199, which would provide the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles more flexibility when working with Hoosiers whose suspended license is a result of not having insurance.

“Being caught driving without insurance can be like quicksand for low-income Hoosiers, because losing your license could mean losing your job and the ability to make ends meet for your family. Some people can’t bounce back from that, and we’ve got to do more to help,” said McNamara, chair of the committee. “By no means is this bill a get-out-of-jail-free card for those who intentionally break the law, but it’s a helping hand for Hoosiers whose insurance coverage lapsed accidentally. For motorists who work quickly to correct this, this bill would soften the consequences and they can get back on the road faster.”

According to McNamara, her bill would allow the BMV to lift a license suspension if an individual can provide proof that they maintained insurance for a period of 180 days. She also said if a person fails to show proof of insurance, pay outstanding court fines or appear in court for a traffic violation case for a misdemeanor or felony charge, the suspension on their license would continue.

Additionally, McNamara said this bill would allow the Indiana Department of Correction and BMV to help nonviolent offenders reentering the workforce by delaying their license reinstatement fees. Those who have completed their sentence, are serving time on probation or are currently enrolled in job training courses, and maintain consistent employment for at least three years could be eligible for this flexibility. She also said this bill gets Hoosiers back to work while also ensuring dangerous drivers are not on the road.

“Inmates released early for good behavior, parole or because they have completed their sentence, are likely to experience difficulties transitioning back into normal life,” McNamara said. “This bill attempts to ease the financial requirements to reinstate their license upfront, so they can obtain a job and take care of immediate expenses before paying back the fees.”

This bill would also extend the Traffic Amnesty program for one year. The program, which was created last session, allows Indiana residents with suspended drivers licenses or unpaid traffic fines imposed before Jan. 1, 2019, the option to petition the court for a reduced fine of up to 50 percent.

 

Commission to Combat Drug Abuse  Meets Virtually Friday

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Holcomb

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana’s Commission to Combat Drug Abuse will meet virtually Friday morning. At the meeting, Executive Director for Drug Prevention, Treatment and Enforcement Douglas Huntsinger and other commission members will discuss continued efforts related to the drug crisis. Chairman Huntsinger will make an announcement.

WHAT: Indiana Commission to Combat Drug Abuse

WHO:

  • Douglas Huntsinger, Executive Director for Drug Prevention, Treatment and Enforcement
  • Members of the Commission to Combat Drug Abuse
  • Justin Phillips, Director, Overdose Lifeline, Inc.

WHEN: Friday, February 5, 2021 at 1 p.m. ET

LIVESTREAM LINK: https://www.in.gov/recovery/commission.htm

ADOPT A PET

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Bubba is a male tomcat. He’s 4 years old. He recently had to go into quarantine for ringworm exposure, and he is now the poster child for the “Quarantine Fifteen.” Bubba came out more chubba than he went in. Bubba is all of us. Take him home today, already neutered, for $70! Get details at www.vhslifesaver.org/adopt

Protect Your Home from Indiana’s Winter Weather

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The Indiana Department of Insurance provides tips to help you protect your home during the winter months.

Winter can bring extreme weather conditions in Indiana, including snow and ice. These conditions can create a higher risk of property damage, including damage to your roof, interior and plumbing. The Indiana Department of Insurance reminds you to review your insurance policies and provides you with tips to protect your home during the winter months.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Maintaining your property before snow, ice and freezing temperatures arrive is key to reducing your risk of damage from winter weather.

Snow and Ice. There is the old saying, “Too much of anything is a bad thing.” Too much snow and ice are no exception. As snow and ice buildup on tree limbs during a storm, they can snap off and fall on the home or power lines. Heavy snow and ice can also cause unseen structural damage and even the collapse of your roof.

Additionally, ice dams can cause interior water damage after the storm has passed. Ice dams occur when heavy snow melts and then refreezes due to improper attic insulation. The ice from this refreezing works its way under the shingles of the home, which then melts due to warm attic air and causes interior water damage.

Below Freezing Temperatures. As Old Jack Frost makes his presence known during the winter months, pipes can freeze and break. Those include interior and exterior pipes, such as irrigation lines and garden hoses still attached to the home. If you live in a warmer weather climate, your interior pipes may not be as well insulated and may not withstand sustained below freezing temperatures.

WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR HOME

Prune Trees and Clear Gutters. Look at the trees around your property and cut back branches or stems that are dead, dying, diseased, or broken. Clearing the debris from your gutters will help prevent ice dams by allowing meltwater to drain freely. Use a safe and secure ladder when removing leaves and debris from gutters or contact a professional to assist you.

Insulate and Ventilate. Evaluate the insulation and ventilation (roof or soffit vents) in your attic, keeping the warm air in your home and out of your attic. Keeping the attic air cold can help minimize the freeze/thaw cycle which causes ice dams. You’ll also save energy and reduce your heating and air conditioning bills. By adding roof and soffit vents it can provide proper ventilation and insulation and help to prevent ice dams.

Protect Your Pipes. To minimize the risk of frozen and cracked pipes, detach garden hoses from your home before freezing weather begins and properly winterize your home and irrigation systems. To protect interior pipes, leave your faucet running with a slight drip and open the cabinet doors under your sinks. This allows water to keep moving through interior pipes, reducing the chances of freezing, and also allows warm air to circulate around your plumbing lines. If winter weather causes a loss of electrical power disabling your furnace for an extended period of time, you will want to prevent water pipes from bursting. Take time now to learn how to shut off the water service to your home. Once shutoff is complete, open a faucet at the lowest level inside the house to allow for water to drain from the pipes.

USI men’s tennis tabbed tied-for-fourth for GLVC East

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University of Southern Indiana’s men’s tennis team (49 points) was slated to finish tied-for-fourth in Great Lakes Valley Conference East Division in the preseason poll released this afternoon from conference.

The University of Indianapolis (84 Points) were tabbed to finish first in the GLVC East receiving 12 of the 13 first-place votes as Maryville University (60 points) is expected to finish second and University of Illinois Springfield (50 points) rounding out the top three. The poll would indicate there is a small gap between some of the top teams in the division and the Screaming Eagles.

In the GLVC West, it is Drury University (80 points) selected to come out on top, getting a little more than half of the first-place votes with eight. Southwest Baptist University (77 points) follows closely behind them with five first-place votes and University of Missouri St. Louis (60 points) rounds out the projected top three.

USI opens their 2020-21 season against Cedarville University Saturday and will is scheduled to start GLVC action April 9 vs. Lindenwood University.

EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT

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EPD

EPD REPORT

Right Jab And Middle Jab And Left Jab” February 4 2021

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Right Jab And Middle Jab And Left Jab” was created because we have a couple of commenters that post on a daily basis either in our “IS IT TRUE” or “Readers Forum” columns concerning local, state, national, or international issues

The majority of our “IS IT TRUE” columns are about local or state issues, so we have decided to give our more opinionated readers exclusive access to our newly created “LEFT JAB and Middle Jab and RIGHT JAB”  column. They now have this post to exclusively discuss local, state, national, or world issues that they feel passionate about.

We shall be posting the “LEFT JAB” AND “MIDDLE JAB” AND “RIGHT JAB” 7 days a week.  Oh, “LEFT JAB” is a liberal view, “MIDDLE JAB” is the libertarian view and the “RIGHT JAB is representative of the more conservative views. Also, any reader who would like to react to the written comments in this column is free to do so.

FOOTNOTE: The City-County Observer posted this CAGEL Political Cartoon without bias in order to generate a rational discussion.

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