Municipal Law

Porter County Assessor Lauches Online Property Tax Appeals

October 5, 2011 by: Chris Buckley

One of SFT Lawyers‘ largest clients, the Porter County Assessor Jon M. Snyder, recently announced that he would be taking the Porter County Assessor’s office into the 21st Century by allowing taxpayers to file property tax appeals online.  (See Post Tribune article, “Porter County Website Gives Taxpayers Option to Appeal Online” 4 Oct. 2011; Northwest … Continue reading Porter County Assessor Lauches Online Property Tax Appeals

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LEGISLATIVE WATCH – Indiana Township Government

February 28, 2011 by: Chris Buckley

In the short span of two weeks, hope of reform for Indiana’s system of township government has gone from brightly optimistic to likely dead.  Post Tribune, “Trustee Makes Plea for Township Government,” 8 Feb 2011, and Northwest Indiana Times, “Legislation to Abolish Township Boards Appears Dead at Capitol,” 28 Feb 2011. More than a dozen … Continue reading LEGISLATIVE WATCH – Indiana Township Government

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Governor Mitch Daniels Signs Major Indiana Gun Legislation into Law

March 18, 2010 by: Chris Buckley

Dan Carden of the NWI Times reported this morning that new legislation prohibiting employers from regulating or limiting the possession of guns outside the workplace was signed into law today. (ILB Entry here.) At the signing, Governor Daniels remarked: Considering the clear language of the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, and the even stronger … Continue reading Governor Mitch Daniels Signs Major Indiana Gun Legislation into Law

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Where the Sun Doesn’t Shine: Indiana and its Antiquated Sunshine Laws?

March 15, 2010 by: Chris Buckley

Rich Jackson of the Post-Tribune, writes a post this morning about how Indiana’s sunshine laws are behind the times. Maybe that has more to do with Rich’s personal interest than reality. The Indiana Access to Public Records Act (“IAPRA”) and the Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”) both apply to public records. In any given area, … Continue reading Where the Sun Doesn’t Shine: Indiana and its Antiquated Sunshine Laws?

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UPDATE: Canadians Intervene in Fight over Asian Carp

January 5, 2010 by: Chris Buckley

In a story I wrote this past Sunday, Interstate Legal Battle Threatens Great Lakes Compact, so far Ohio and Wisconsin had joined in Michigan’s fight over Asian Carp infiltrating Lake Michigan through Chicago’s waterway system. Now it appears that not only did the Hoosier State throw its hat in the ring, Canadian Provinces have followed … Continue reading UPDATE: Canadians Intervene in Fight over Asian Carp

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Interstate Legal Battle Threatens Great Lakes Compact

January 3, 2010 by: Chris Buckley

In a story published this morning in the New York Times, a legal battle is ensuing between the states of Michigan and Illinois, with Indiana, Ohio, and Wisconsin forced to pick a side. The fight is over whether to close the locks in the Chicago waterway system. The Chicago waterway system is an artificial network … Continue reading Interstate Legal Battle Threatens Great Lakes Compact

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City of Indianapolis Violated Constitution in Denying Refunds

December 20, 2009 by: Chris Buckley

Indiana Lawyer Article The city of Indianapolis’ refusal to grant some homeowners’ requests for a partial refund of Barrett Law assessments violated the Equal Protection Clause, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Friday.

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Nonprofit Sues Over DCS Rate Cuts

December 18, 2009 by: Chris Buckley

Indiana Lawyer Article A nonprofit organization made up of agencies that provide services to abused and neglected kids is suing the Indiana Department of Child Services for cutting rates paid to the agencies next year.

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Appellate Court Splits on Liability of City

December 17, 2009 by: Chris Buckley

Indiana Lawyer Article The Indiana Court of Appeals split today in deciding whether the city of South Bend should have known putting heavy machinery on an unstable sidewalk would create an unreasonable risk of harm to a brick restorer.

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IN COA Rules on Excessive Force Under ITCA

by: Chris Buckley

Indiana Lawyer Article The use of excessive force is not conduct immunized under section 3(8) of the Indiana Tort Claims Act, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled today.

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