Western NC Supporters of Insurance Commissioner Goodwin To Hold Asheville Fundraiser, October 2

Western North Carolina supporters of Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin will join him at the historic Grove Park Inn in Asheville on Friday, October 2.

The fundraiser begins at 5:30 pm and lasts until 7:30 pm.

Persons interested in being a sponsor of the reception are asked to contribute $250.

Anyone who wishes to attend, but not sponsor, the event are encouraged to donate at least $50.

Feel free to make your contribution securely online by clicking here, or mail your personal check to The Goodwin Committee, P.O. Box 27841,Raleigh, NC 27611.

P.S. If you're unable to attend the Asheville event, then consider attending the Raleigh fundraiser two nights before on Sept 30.

You're Invited to Help Make Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin's 1st Annual Fall Fundraiser a Success!

You are cordially invited to the

1ST ANNUAL FALL FUNDRAISER for

NC INSURANCE COMMISSIONER WAYNE GOODWIN

Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009
5:30-7:30 pm
Marriott Center City – Downtown Raleigh
Next to Convention Center

Main Ballroom

Sponsors
Gold: $2,000
Silver: $500
Bronze: $250

General Admission: $100/person

If unable to attend, then please consider a donation of $50 or $25 instead to help Wayne reach his campaign's fundraising goal for the year. Feel free to contribute securely online by clicking here.

Or, make your individual personal check or PAC check (no corporate, NC lobbyist, insurance company/insurance industry, or business checks) out to “The Goodwin Committee”. Please either return your check by mailing to P.O. Box 27841, Raleigh NC 27611 or presenting at the registration table on September 30th.

For more information, go to www.waynegoodwin.org or call (910)997-1301.

Take this opportunity to meet our State's newest Commissioner of Insurance.

And, please spread the word among fellow professionals, friends, and supporters.

Paid for by The Goodwin Committee. Not paid for by government funds or resources.

State Representative Melanie Wade Goodwin Announces That She Will Not Seek a Fourth Term in the NC General Assembly

A STATEMENT TO THE PEOPLE OF THE 66TH HOUSE DISTRICT
FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE MELANIE WADE GOODWIN (issued Sept. 8, 2009)

I have been privileged to have the trust of the people of the 66th House District and serve as their voice in Raleigh since I was first elected in 2004. As everyone knows, my family strongly believes in public service and the obligation each of us has to give back to our communities using our individual gifts and talents.

During my three terms, I have worked tirelessly for improvements to public education, a better court system, targeted economic growth in the District and rural North Carolina, enhanced public safety, and improvements to our elections process.

These goals will continue to have my firm attention and action as I complete my third term, which concludes in December 2010.

However, after much consideration, I have decided not to seek re-election to a fourth term next year.

Making my decision now allows others in Richmond and Montgomery counties who are interested in public service the time to weigh the very sizable commitment of personal and professional time, as well as resources, that it takes to be a member of the North Carolina General Assembly.

My decision also allows me to spend more time with my young children, and to focus on other personal goals and priorities in my life.

It has been a pleasure to serve the many kind, caring, and supportive people of my home. Although we are in the midst of challenging times, I believe that Richmond and Montgomery counties have a very bright future ahead.

Thank you for giving me this opportunity to give back and to make a difference.

# # #

Many colleagues, constituents and friends were quite surprised and saddened, yet understanding, of Representative Goodwin's decision.

As reported in the Montgomery Herald:

Economic Development Director Judy Stevens has worked with Goodwin since she was elected and said, “I was sad to hear that Representative Melanie Wade Goodwin has decided not to seek another term in the NC House of Representatives. Melanie has represented the 66th District with distinction. She has always been available, responsive and sensitive to our many needs and requests. We knew we could always count on Melanie to support our efforts to make our county more competitive for economic development. I appreciate her keen interest in service to her constituents and the entire state. She will be missed.”

County Manager Lance Metzler echoed the same sentiments saying, “I can honestly say that I have been in government for over 16 years and I have worked with many senators, representatives, US Congressman and Senators but I have never had any as responsive, kind, caring and reachable as Melanie Wade Goodwin has been. She embraced the community and the community embraced her back. She will be sorely missed representing Montgomery County. Whomever runs for this position will have some mighty big shoes to fill!”

Goodwin has also won the respect of those that have been around the halls of the General Assembly for many years. House Speaker Joe Hackney spoke kindly of Goodwin saying, “She is the ideal citizen-legislator: well connected with her constituents, eager to serve them and trained in the law. And a young mom to boot. I am distressed that she has chosen not to run again.”

Representative Pryor Gibson has worked with Goodwin since she took office. Gibson, a former representative of Montgomery County said, “Rep. Goodwin is a class act and will be hard to follow. She is a tremendous asset to the people of Montgomery and Richmond counties and all of North Carolina. She has that rare talent to listen, sort out complicated issues, and then deliver real solutions. I will miss her and intend to continue seeking her counsel.”

The Richmond County Daily Journal also ran a prominent front-page story.

Insurance Commissioner Goodwin Helps 661 NC Businesses with $6.5 Million

On the heels of saving an estimated $545 Million for North Carolina drivers, and in an unrelated matter, Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin has this week distributed refund checks totalling $6.5 Million to 661 North Carolina businesses who had been swindled. To learn more, connect to this link. This is another example of Goodwin's strong consumer protection ethic. "Whether a driver, a parent, a homeowner, or a small business owner, I am fighting for you," he said.

Public financing of statewide campaigns continues to make the news

Readers of "Wayne's World" may be interested in three columns about optional public financing as a campaign finance reform that also referenced my 2008 Insurance Commissioner race.

One of them is an op-ed piece I authored that ran in multiple newspapers statewide, including The Pilot of Southern Pines. For a presentation of my essay that includes video commentary and supporting links, go to this specific Voter Update link here, sponsored by the N.C. Center for Voter Education.

The other is by Chase Foster of N.C. Voters for Clean Elections that appeared in multiple formats, including here at this link. The full version of his article is at this separate link.

And the third is a national column by the organization Public Campaign. The profile piece provides the nuts and bolts difference between my traditional statewide campaign of 2004 and my grassroots, publicly-financed statewide campaign in 2008.

For background on previous coverage and blog posts of this subject, check out these additional links here and here.

All the above is especially relevant in view of pending legislation in the General Assembly to include additional Council of State offices in this voluntary program.

Editor's Note: Blogpost was updated to include recent national column by Public Campaign and the relevant link.

Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin Rolls Back Auto Insurance Rates, Freezes Them, and Orders Refunds

Goodwin Signs Settlement That Decreases Auto Rates and Freezes Them Until At Least 2011: Approximately One Million Policyholders to Receive Refund Checks Together Totaling more than $50 Million.

July 15, 2009

RALEIGH — Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin today signed a settlement with the North Carolina Rate Bureau that will roll back private passenger auto insurance rates to just under 2006 levels; the changes will go into effect on Nov. 1, and are retroactive to Jan. 1.

The North Carolina Rate Bureau (NCRB) is an independent organization that represents all auto insurance companies in the state.

The settlement does away with the NCRB’s implemented 9.4 percent 2008 rate increase and denies their 2009 request for an additional 1.4 percent rate increase and includes an additional .5% decrease. Under the settlement, the NCRB may not file changes to auto rates until 2011, which means that the maximum allowable auto rates are locked in until Oct. 1, 2011 at the earliest. This saves North Carolina policyholders an estimated $545 million over this time period.

“I’m thrilled that North Carolina drivers will see a decrease in their auto insurance rates,” said Commissioner Goodwin. “Drivers will not only see lower rates, but many will also receive refund checks beginning in mid-2010 that may together total more than $50 million. In this economy, every dollar counts, and I am committed to protecting consumers through fair ratemaking.”

The refunds stem from a dispute between the Department and the NCRB over rates ordered in 2008. During the appeals process, the NCRB implemented an interim 9.4 percent rate increase that went into effect on Jan.1 of this year. In cases where insurance companies charged policyholders more than the rates determined by this settlement, insurance companies are required by statute to refund the difference between the rates charged and the settled rates, with interest.

“With this rate rollback, the effect is that I will have capped rates for the five year period spanning from 2006 through 2011,” added Insurance Commissioner Goodwin.

The Department of Insurance has consistently issued small or no rate increases, and in many cases has ordered rate decreases. Combined, this has potentially saved drivers more that $5 billion over the last 25 years.

To learn more about this terrific news for consumers, a sample of TV video and newspaper coverage is here, here, here, here, and here. The Department's official press release is here.

Welcome to Visitors Who Attended Yesterday's NC 20 Meeting in New Bern!

Welcome to everyone who attended yesterday's meeting of NC 20 at the New Bern convention center!

Many of you were directed to this site by one of the attendees of that meeting. Once you have a chance to peruse this personal blog, you will very soon note that it is in great part about political matters affecting the Eighth Congressional District of North Carolina. As many of you know, I live in Richmond County, which is the heart of a district that stretches from Charlotte to Fayetteville.

This same gentleman who attended the New Bern meeting and directed you to this site met with me personally, along with his colleagues on the Kure Beach town council, approximately two weeks ago in my Raleigh office. I spent almost an hour listening to his concerns and directly answering ALL of his questions despite his frequent interruptions. I believe this gentleman is attempting to play partisan politics with your insurance rates, which is highly inappropriate and contrary to the best interests of the people of North Carolina.

Meanwhile, please note that I personally directed my Assistant Commissioner of Insurance to attend the entire New Bern meeting yesterday because your opinions and issues matter greatly to me. (I couldn't attend because of a previously-scheduled meeting with representatives from Coastal Carolina Tomorrow, based in Wilmington, about potential solutions to the coastal insurance dilemma.) He is in charge of the Eastern Regional Office for the Department of Insurance. All issues that concern eastern North Carolina concern him, me, and the Department.

My focus is finding the most affordable, most fair insurance rates possible, protecting consumers, and appropriately ensuring a well-regulated, solvent, competitive market. These were promises I made during the campaign and will continue to be goals I strive for. Working together, we all will find a solution during these trying economic times.

I encourage you to contact me with your thoughts and concerns as we work cooperatively toward solutions. My office number at the Department of Insurance is (919) 733-3058 and my email address is wgoodwin@ncdoi.net.

Thank you for visiting my Wayne's World blog.