In this week’s TheNewspaper.com Roundup!
–Iowa Supremes Mock SCOTUS on warrantless auto searches–
–Federal Judge strikes down TN Driver’s License Seizures–
–Oregon to impose Congestion Tax on two Freeways–
Friday, July 6, 2018
Iowa Supremes Mock SCOTUS On Warrantless Auto Searches
State supreme courts do not always agree with the constitutional pronouncements of the US Supreme Court. State courts are free to cite more stringent provisions of their state constitutions if they wish to provide greater protections for residents. The Iowa Supreme Court did just that last week when it shot down the federal court’s doctrine allowing police to search any car at will without a warrant merely by finding a reason to tow it away so an “inventory” search can be made.
Thursday, July 5, 2018
Federal Judge Strikes Down Tennessee Driving License Seizure
A federal judge on Monday struck down a Tennessee statute that automatically revoked a driver’s license for failure to pay debts owed to a state court. US District Court Judge Aleta A. Trauger considered the case brought on behalf of 146,211 motorists who lost their right to drive because they were unable to pay massive court-imposed fees and fines. Judge Trauger found the Tennessee law set up a collection method that was both counterproductive and unconstitutional.
Tuesday, July 3, 2018
Oregon To Impose Congestion Tax On Two Freeways
Transportation leaders in Oregon are anxious to promote the idea of taxing motorists extra when roads are congested. The state Department of Transportation held the last of a series of policy advisory committee meetings on the topic in Portland on Monday. Exploring this new line of taxation was part of House Bill 2017, a wide-ranging measure that included a 10 cent hike in the gas tax, higher registration fees, a “privilege tax” on automobile dealers and a tax on employers.
Monday, July 2, 2018
France, Italy: Several Speed Cameras Spraypainted, Burned, Kicked
Vigilantes torched the speed camera on the D33 in Mereville, France, last week Sunday. According to L’Est Republicain, officials believe some of the internal mechanism survived the attack. In Saint-Andre-de-Messei, pink spraypaint was used to cover the speed camera for a second time in the past month, L’Orne Combattante reported. White spraypaint was used on the speed camera on the RD1075 in Ayn last week Sunday. The speed camera on the RN7 in Saint-Romain-de-Popey on Thursday was spraypainted for the second time this month, according to Le Progres. Red spraypaint took out the camera on the D936 in Jasseron on Saturday, the same publication noted. Around the same time, the speed camera on the D817 in Castetis was painted red, according to Sud Ouest.
