SENATE AND TELSA
The Senate has pulled the plug on a bill which would have shut down the Tesla auto showroom in Indianapolis.
Instead of franchising dealerships, Tesla sells to customers directly. The Senate had proposed banning that practice. Senate Commerce Chairman Jim Buck (R-Kokomo) says he’s been bombarded with angry calls from Tesla owners. He’s killed the bill in favor of the House’s original call for a study committee.
Buck charges the bill has been mischaracterized as an attempt to prop up General Motors against Tesla. He says legislators aren’t out to stifle innovation, but need to be aware of market disruptions that could cost jobs. But he says the negative perception of the bill is too much to overcome.
Tesla’s competitors don’t have the direct-to-consumer option because they already have franchised dealerships. Current law requires carmakers to choose one or the other.
TEACHER SALARY BILL IS LIKELY DEAD
Getting your kids educated and doing it with more teachers was the goal of a bill that’s not going anywhere in the state house. The Senate decided yesterday they wouldn’t go any further with a bill that might make it easier to hire teachers.
“The bill would allow school administrators to negotiate salaries for people in those shortage areas, outside the collective bargaining agreement, which is what you do in the private sector,” said Kevin Brinegar, with the Indiana Chamber of Commerce.
He supported the bill and said the blame for the teacher shortage can go to the union.
“We have pressure being applied by the teachers union because they don’t like anything that would amend the union work rules and that has for many many years contributed to the teacher shortage in math, science and special ed.”
Senate Pres. Pro Tem David Long said in a statement yesterday that while he does not believe the bill would hurt teachers or their salaries, there has been a large misconception by some that it would and they will head back to the drawing board for next year.
“We believe that the bill’s intent to deal with the teacher shortage issue in Indiana was misperceived by some as something that would be harmful to teachers. That was not the bill’s intent, nor do I believe that would actually occur. However, it is clear we need to go back to the drawing board, work with the education community and find the right approach to address this issue. I look forward to working with education leaders throughout the state to find the right answer,” said Long’s statement.
SEX OFFENDERS FROM OUT OF STATE MUST REGISTER WHEN MOVING HERE
The Indiana Supreme Court has ruled thatsex offenders required to register elsewhere must also register in Indiana when moving there regardless of when the crime occurred.
The court ruled 5-0 Thursday that it isn’t unconstitutional retroactive punishment that Indiana requires sex offenders registered elsewhere to also register there.
Sidney Tyson is accused of failing to register as a sex offender after moving to Indiana from Texas in 2009. Tyson’s attorney argued that it’s unconstitutional for Indiana to require Tyson to register because his 2002 conviction preceded the 2006 law mandating registration of out-of-state sex offenders who move to Indiana.
Justice Mark Massa, writing for the court, said Tyson had sufficient notice regarding registration when he moved and that the added burden is minimal because he was already required to register in Texas.
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