It Figures
$120,000
According to an Atlanta Journal-Constitution investigative report, the amount two Georgia insurance companies with the same boss funneled to John Oxendine’s campaign for governor. Documents obtained from Georgia and Alabama state agencies show the money, which is nearly 10 times the legal limit, came through 10 Alabama-based political action committees formed by Donald V. Watkins, a director of Admiral Life Insurance Co. and State Mutual Insurance. Both firms are headed by Delos “Dee” Yancey III from the same building in Rome. Oxendine is currently insurance commissioner.
$615.99
The amount North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin will take as a voluntary pay cut in line with what Governor Beverly Perdue has ordered for all state employees. All state employees — including those in Goodwin’s department— will absorb a half a percent reduction of their annual salary in their May and June paychecks. According to Goodwin’s office, his salary is $123,198, thus a 0.5 percent pay cut would be about $615.99 distributed over two months.
46
The number of Mississippi’s firefighters who were injured in the line of duty in 2007. Mississippi Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney is pushing for the state to provide disability insurance for the firefighters, about 10,000 of whom are volunteers.
$73.5 Million
The amount of money Florida has for private school vouchers for low income families last year. Now in an effort to raise more, lawmakers have passed a bill giving insurance companies dollar-for-dollar credits against premium taxes for donations made to the program.
$25 Million
The claims expected by insurance from a recent coastal South Carolina wildfire that destroyed more than 70 homes near Myrtle Beach.
$454 Million
The amount embattled insurer AIG set aside and paid in performance-related bonuses in 2008, along with more than $1.5 billion in retention bonuses, more than previously disclosed.
4%
The statewide average increase in homeowner insurance rates that went into effect in North Carolina starting May 1. As many as 18 coastal communities will see increases up to almost 30 percent, while rates in some western counties are going down.