Declarations

Abandoned Properties

“We are taking action to crack down on these neighborhood blights.”

—New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said on June 7 in announcing more than $100 million in funding to help new homeowners and renovate so-called “zombie properties” — abandoned properties not yet foreclosed upon by banks. The program will target several areas of the state, including the Hudson Valley and Rochester region.

Deductible Idea

“The deductible is the best idea. The state disaster programs that we already operate are more than likely programs that can apply to reducing that deductible.”

—Arkansas Department of Emergency Management Director David Maxwell, who favors a FEMA proposal that gives states disaster “deductibles” as incentives for states to better prepare for natural disasters. Maxwell said states could “buy down” the deductible by repairing levees, building public safe shelters and creating disaster awareness programs.

Burning Citations

“What do you do if you get one? Throw it in the trash. Personally, I prefer to burn mine.”

—Tennessee State Rep. Andy Holt, to his Facebook followers who receive a traffic camera citation. The lawmaker is a longtime critic of traffic camera tickets and has previously called for banning them.

A Costly Crime

“Workers’ compensation fraud is a costly crime that we all pay for.”

—California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones, comments on the arrest of a Baldwin Park Unified School District employee on workers’ compensation fraud charges. Juanita Denise Schmittle allegedly racked up $33,000 in treatments and disability payments by misrepresenting injuries and mental health conditions suffered while working as an instructional aide for the district. She was charged with two counts of workers’ comp fraud.