May 28, 2010

More on Homeowner's Insurance Rate Hikes

Quick Links:
DMN: State Farm Raising Rates 35% For Many Dallas Homeowners
House Member Letter To Sunset on TDI
LSG Report on Homeowner's Insurance

Here is an article from the Dallas Morning News that shows that many Dallas families will see their State Farm homeowner's insurance rates raised by up to 35 percent.

In March, the Legislative Study Group published a report detailing the problems surrounding homeowner's insurance laws in Texas. Since 2003, members have proposed instituting a "prior approval" system that would give the Texas Department of Insurance the tools they need to combat such drastic rates hikes and provide relief to Texas homeowners. You can read that report by clicking here.

Last week, 25 members of the House sent a letter to the Sunset Commission, urging them to consider including a recommendation on "prior approval" in their report to the Legislature on TDI's sunset. The agency will be up for review in the next legislative session. You can read that letter by clicking here.

The article is the latest example of the egregious rate hikes by State Farm. In March, they announced a rate hike of 4.5 percent, a mere seven months after an 8.8 percent rate increase. TDI sent a letter to the company, warning that the hikes could lead to market instability.

TDI has broken down the impact of the rate hikes and provided samples for various zip codes across the state. You can view that data on the TDI's website by clicking here.

May 25, 2010

LSG House Caucus Announces Forum On Gaming

Representative Garnet F. Coleman, Chair of the Legislative Study Group (LSG) House Caucus, announced today that the caucus would host a forum on the issue of gambling to help prepare members on the public policy implications of expanded gaming in Texas.

"This will be a Gaming 101 forum. Members need to receive information about the public policy of gaming," said Representative Coleman. "We have the opportunity to look at what has happened in other states that have passed gaming, and review the long range impact for Texas."

The LSG will host a forum on the issue, where members can learn about the intricacies of the issue. All members of the Legislature are invited to attend.

Representative Coleman said, "In the year since session ended, there has been a legislative vacuum when it comes to this specific issue. Members deserve to have as much information as possible as they prepare for the next legislative session, where various proposals for expanded gambling will certainly be proposed."

Previously, House Democratic Caucus Leader Jim Dunnam had proposed creating a bipartisan ad hoc committee with LSG and the House Democratic Caucus, the House Republican Caucus and the Conservative Coalition Caucus. Both the Republican Caucus and the Conservative Coalition declined the invitation.

"Representative Dunnam was correct, this is an important issue that needs to be discussed and studied publicly," said Representative Coleman. "With a revenue shortfall upwards of $18 billion in the next biennium there is a legitimate policy discussion that needs to happen. Members need to know the pros and cons of expanded gambling and the potential impact on our state."

For more information, email Joe@TexasLSG.org

March 16, 2010

LSG Policy Alert: Homeowner Insurance Rates Continue To Rise

You may have heard the recent news that State Farm is imposing at 4.5 percent rate hike on homeowners insurance a mere seven months after an 8.8 percent rate increase. Below is a Legislative Study Group policy update that gives background on homeowners insurance legislation in Texas and proposed solutions to the problem.

To read the report, click here (*.pdf).

October 22, 2009

Higher Education Necessary To Ensure Success of Texas

Members,

Today, some Legislative Study Group members from the Houston area met at the Houston Community College Coleman College for Health Sciences for a press conference on higher education.

As you know, in May 2008 the LSG put out a report calling for an expansion of slots of excellence at Texas colleges and universities -- specifically calling for the creation of additional tier one universities. This session the Legislature passed HB 51 and HJR 14, which would set in place a mechanism through which emerging research universities can compete for funds to eventually become tier one universities.

Texas currently has only two public universities classified as tier one institutions even though it has the second highest population in the nation. States like California and New York have many more tier-one public universities.

At today's press conference, Rep. Scott Hochberg, LSG board member and chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Education, spoke of a pool of $500 million worth of higher education dollars that is currently locked away. Voter approval of Proposition 4 on the November ballot is the key to releasing those funds and allowing universities to draw down matching funds, allowing them to work on becoming top tier research universities.

LSG board member Rep. Hubert Vo is an alumnus of the University of Houston - one of the universities that will be able to more quickly attain tier one status with this legislation. At today's press conference, Rep. Vo spoke of the great economic impact that voter approval of Proposition 4 will have. He mentioned that the state's additional investment in institutions of higher education would not only greatly expand the possibilities for students, resulting in a better educated populace, but would help the state maintain a competitive economic edge in technology and human capital in the 21st century.

LSG Chair Rep. Coleman spoke on the value of higher education, and the bridge that often links high school students and four year universities: community colleges. Ensuring a seamless transition for students from community colleges is vital, as well as properly funding these institutions and providing them with the resources they need to succeed. New and innovative programs like the Early College High School program are doing wonders and helping high school students begin their college careers on firm ground. This is the subject of LSG's latest report.

To view the LSG's report on Higher Education, click here. To view LSG's analysis and recommendation on Proposition 4, click here.

If we can provide your office with any additionally information on this or any other public policy topic, please do not hesitate to contact LSG Director Joe Madden at Joe@TexasLSG.org or 512-463-0524.

July 2, 2009

LSG Floor Report - July 2, 2009

The floor reports for HB 1 and HB 2 are now available for download by clicking HERE. (.PDF)

June 23, 2009

Legislative Study Group Reception

June 1, 2009

LSG Update on Legislation Regarding CHIP

The LSG Update on legislation regarding the Children's Health Insurance Program is available for download by clicking HERE. (.PDF)

May 28, 2009

LSG Floor Report for SB1

The floor report for SB1 is now available for download by clicking HERE. (.PDF)

May 28, 2009

LSG Floor Report and Policy Primer for HCR 50

The floor report and policy primer for HCR 50 is now available for download by clicking HERE. (.PDF)

May 26, 2009

LSG Floor report for Tuesday May 26, 2009

The report for the Tuesday May 26, 2009 is now available for download. (.PDF)
The BA&Es cover the following House Bills:

SB 1569 By Sen. Eltife/ et al. SP: Strama/ Deshotel/ Harless
SB 469 By Sens. Carona/ et al. SP: Flores / Pena / Oliveira / Corte / Smith, W
SB 555 By Sen. Duncan SP: Eiland
SB 2222 By Sen. Van de Putte SP: Corte
SB 921 By Sen. Fraser SP: Rose/ Solomons/ Swinford
SB 1529 By Sen. Whitmire SP:Gallego
SB 66 By Sens. Nelson/ et al. SP: Shelton/ Hartnett/ Alonzo/ et al.
SB 18 By Sens. Estes/ et al. SP: Bonnen/ Pitts/ Kuempel/ Geren/ Homer
SB 1877 By Sens. Nelson/ et al. SP: Zerwas/ Coleman/ McCall/ Parker/ Rose/ et al.

To view this floor report, click here. (.PDF)