Declarations

Never Say Never

“I never rule out the option of a special session… The idea that somehow or another these agencies are going to go away, that’s not going to happen.”

—Texas Gov. Rick Perry. After the Texas Legislature adjourned its 140-day regular session without passing measures to keep open several key government agencies —including the Texas Department of Insurance and the Texas Department of Transportation —Perry said options besides a special session were being considered to keep the agencies operating without interruption. TDI and TxDOT were up for “sunset” review this year, and technically, legislation was required to assure their continuation.

Protective? Maybe Not.

“It’s not as protective as one might think… They impair your vision, they impair your hearing.”

—Louisiana State Rep. Jim Morris R-Oil City. The Louisiana House of Representatives approved a measure supported by Morris that would allow adult motorcyclists to ride without helmets, so long as they have health insurance and $100,000 in liability insurance coverage. Louisiana currently requires motorcyclists to wear protective headgear. The House voted in favor of HB 639 after Morris amended it to add the insurance minimum requirements. Riders younger 21 would still be required to wear helmets under the bill. Morris, who rides a Harley Davidson, has said he would continue wearing a helmet by choice if the bill passes.

‘Missed Opportunities’

“We still have the highest rate of homeowners insurance in the country and nothing we did this session changes it.”

—Texas State Senator Leticia Van de Putte. During a press conference following the close of the recent regular session of the Texas Legislature, Van de Putte called the session one of “missed opportunities” and said lawmakers had failed the people of the Texas in not securing real insurance reform. Van de Putte and a coalition of other lawmakers had proposed measures that would have, among other things, returned the rate setting process for personal lines insurance to one of prior approval as opposed to the current file and use system. Other bills would have standardized homeowners forms, banned the use of credit scoring and directed the Texas Department of Insurance to study the use of data mining by insurance companies. She said the failure of the House and Senate to address bills that would continue the existence of agencies like TDI and TxDot was due to lack of effective leadership.