A personal blog of NC Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin for folks interested in his work as state Commissioner of Insurance, North Carolina politics, history & current events, and the occasional literary reference.
Showing posts with label General Assembly. Show all posts
Showing posts with label General Assembly. Show all posts
"I'm pleased that the various stakeholders had input into the final product," said Goodwin. "Like with lawmaking in general, the results were in large part a series of compromises. Codifying my own personal practice of requiring public comment periods and granting me additional flexibility to negotiate or decide homeowners' rate cases were particular high marks of the new law."
A previous discussion about Goodwin's interest in reforms appeared on this blog several months ago.
The new law, introduced by GOP Senator Harry Brown after receiving a report from a select legislative study committee, will please persons in each of North Carolina's geographical regions, including the eastern/coastal area.
"I believe these measures contribute to my focus on targeted reforms and more fairness and setting adequate rates," added Commissioner Goodwin. "I'm doing what I can to strike the appropriate balance as we try to respond to the 'hard market' of the homeowners' insurance line of business. Taming that crisis is a goal of my administration."
Goodwin reminds us what this is ultimately about: Money and fairness. Consumers want to pay as little as they can for the promise that their claims will be paid; insurance agents want the ability to serve their customers with the best-priced, most-available products; and, of course, insurance companies want to make a reasonable profit so they will continue to do business and compete more in North Carolina.
Consumers and the industry benefit from the changes.
The new law is effective immediately in some parts and later this year in others. Learn more about this law and other related topics by visiting the website of the North Carolina Department of Insurance, www.ncdoi.com.
Skullduggery was afoot on Monday by one powerful state Senator that would have raised insurance rates on every North Carolina family, driver, and small business. (Yes, on automobiles, homes, workers compensation, businesses, etc., etc.)
Just in case you had not heard about it, Monday was indeed quite the day. In a move reminiscent of a 2007 ploy documented here and here at Wayne's World, it was "back to the future" with an "under cover of darkness" attempt to strip the Insurance Commissioner's authority to (a) control and cap insurance rates, (b) hold public hearings, and (c) otherwise hold accountable the insurance industry and protect consumers.
So what did Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin do in response? He went public to shine light on the shenanigans, conducting an emergency press conference immediately before the Senate committee was going to rubber-stamp the hidden provision. A bevy of TV, radio, newspaper and blogosphere journalists turned out as he revealed what was afoot.
Check out the news coverage first here at the Raleigh News & Observer's "Under the Dome" blog. One excerpt from that news story, appropriately titled "Goodwin Slams Senator's Attempt to Strip Insurance Commissioner of Authority (to Protect Consumers From Rate Hikes)":
"Using phrases like 'shocking' and 'irresponsible government,' Goodwin said that if passed, the bill would surely cause insurance rates for homes, vehicles and workers compensation to rise throughout the state. ... 'Working people do not need this piled on them,' he said."
Here is a link to another media source, NewsChannel 14, but scan ahead to the 1-minute mark in the accompanying video to hear about the relevant issue. WRAL-TV also had a blurb on the matter, found here at this link. Further coverage appeared in a subsequent Raleigh article.
But, not to be outdone, Mark Binker of the Greensboro News & Record added a similarly well-done focus on the incident here within his "What Are They Drinking?" edition. And, courtesy of the News & Record, listen in on the audiotape made at the Senator's press interview about the subject.
Meanwhile, other newspapers and pundits across the State, including in the Beaufort Observer, Civitas Review, WataugaWatch, and BlueNC (both ends of the ideological spectrum, by the way), panned the attempted coup.
"Senators unintentionally sought both insurance deregulation and higher insurance rates for all North Carolinians in one fell swoop, without public input or consultation with the Department of Insurance responsible for protecting consumers," said Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin at the end of the day. "What were these Senators thinking?"
Fortunately due to Insurance Commissioner Goodwin's keen eye and resolute call to arms, Senators removed the "special provision" by late afternoon.
But Goodwin says the public needs to watch this situation with an eagle eye, particularly the Senators' proposal to replace the Insurance Commissioner's authority with that of a seven-member panel. (Only after it was stricken out did the proponent of the measure said he had intended to only strip some of the Insurance Commissioner's authority and instead put the panel in place for 20 coastal counties. Regardless, that Senator tried his maneuver surreptitiously, under the veil of darkness and outside the scope of public input, debate, and review. That's offensive and wrong.)
"They've tried it once before and then tried it again today. To protect consumers from outrageous insurance rates and an unstable market led by unaccountable, unelected, uninformed special interests that certain Senators want deciding your insurance rates, we must watch every move certain lawmakers make and beat back any future attempts."
Many observers said that they had never seen North Carolina's Insurance Commissioner so incensed over an issue. And they agreed with his reason because it goes to the very heart of protecting consumers.
Coverage in the Richmond County Daily Journal continued that drumbeat here and again with the editorial "Let Goodwin Do His Job." Along the same lines were editorials from the Raleigh News & Observer (here) and the Greenville Reflector (here), the latter asserting that the Senator wanted to undermine the democratic process and will of the State's voters.
In the New Bern Sun Journal and elsewhere, Barry Smith of Freedom Newspapers castigated Senate budget writers and said that "Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin was on the ball this week" while Senator Basnight and those who let the mystery provision slip into the budget were not on the ball. He added:
"The cost of insurance, including the Beach Plan, and coastal development are all legitimate issues to be discussed in the halls of the General Assembly....These issues should be decided out in the open, however, not by sticking a provision into the state budget. It’s quite ironic that the now-dropped budget provision would have called for more transparency, considering the apparent lack of knowledge that budget writers had about the provision’s origins."
"Demerit: For the stealthy attempt to strip N.C. Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin of his rate-setting authority. A measure that would turn that responsibility over to a board that would be more responsive to political pressure was slipped into the Senate version of the state budget and was discovered by chance. Goodwin went ballistic, as well he should have - and so should the state's consumers, whose interests Goodwin serves well.
After a chorus of denials, Senate leader Marc Basnight acknowledged that the measure came from his office, but he insisted it was only a proposal that was inadvertently placed in the budget.
Since coastal property owners have been smacked by sharply increased homeowners insurance rates, the measure was clearly retaliation against Goodwin. Consumers need to keep an eye on this one, lest it suddenly and mysteriously rise from the dead."
Commissioner Goodwin said it best, as quoted by the Associated Press:
"I'm the state fire marshal, too. I'm used to hearing three alarms and four alarms. I'm ringing the alarm, ladies and gentlemen."
Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Wayne Goodwin announced that beginning Jan. 1, N.C. landlords were required by law to install at least one battery or electric carbon monoxide alarm on each level of each rental unit. Often called the silent killer, carbon monoxide (CO) is an invisible, odorless, colorless gas that's created when a fuel source burns incompletely.
TimeWarner NewsChannel 14 Carolina covered this story here at this link. Insurance Commissioner Goodwin told viewers:
"Most of the types of casualties and injuries and incidents occurring in the home involving carbon monoxide occur in December, January and February, which matches up when we have the coldest months of the year," State Fire Marshal Wayne Goodwin said.
Goodwin said carbon monoxide is called the silent killer because it’s odorless and colorless and the symptoms are like having the flu.
"Every month, you should test your carbon monoxide detector and alarm,” Goodwin said. “You should make sure the detector is located at every level and also particularly outside of bedroom units in your home."
In 2005, municipal fire departments nationwide responded to an estimated 61,100 carbon monoxide incidents. January and December were the peak months for CO incidents and the peak time of day was between 6 and 10 p.m.
Under the new state law, landlords must ensure that the carbon monoxide appliance is operating at the beginning of each new lease. They must repair or replace the alarm within 15 days of being notified in writing of a need for repair or replacement and may be fined if they are out of compliance.
Carbon Monoxide Safety Tips and Facts
• CO alarms should be installed in a central location outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home. For the best protection, interconnect all CO alarms throughout the home so when one sounds, they all sound. • Choose a CO alarm that has the label of a recognized testing laboratory. • Test CO alarms at least once a month; replace them according to the manufacturer's instructions. • If the CO alarm sounds, immediately move to a fresh air location outdoors or by an open window or door. Make sure everyone inside the home is accounted for. Call for help from a fresh air location and stay there until emergency personnel arrive. • If you need to warm a vehicle, remove it from the garage immediately after starting it. Do not run a vehicle or other fueled engine or motor indoors, even if garage doors are open. Make sure the exhaust pipe of a running vehicle is not covered with snow. • During and after a snowstorm, make sure vents for the dryer, furnace, stove, and fireplace are clear of snow build-up. .
• Early symptoms of CO poisoning are nausea, headache and flu-like symptoms. Prolonged exposure can lead to brain damage and even death.
Heating equipment is a leading cause of home fires during the months of December, January and February. In 2006, heating equipment was involved in an estimated 64,100 reported U.S. home structure fires. This translates to 540 deaths, 1,400 injuries, and $943 million in direct property damage.
General Heating Safety Tips
• All heaters need space. Keep things that can burn, such as paper, bedding or furniture, at least 3 feet away from heating equipment. • Use heating equipment that has the label of a recognized testing laboratory. • Install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters or central heating equipment according to the local codes and manufacturer's instruction. Have a qualified professional install the equipment. • Have a professional inspect and clean fireplaces, chimneys, furnaces and other heating equipment annually.
(Above statistics provided by the National Fire Protection Association.)
It's rather telling - as North Carolina readers of the Wayne's World blog know after having the coldest weather recently in a generation - that half of all home heating fires occur in December, January and February.
In the span of a few recent weeks there were numerous reports of carbon monoxide poisonings and deaths in North Carolina. One egregious example occurred in Charlotte.
Do your part to protect you, your loved ones, and your home from "The Silent Killer."
Representative Melanie Wade Goodwin will make history in 2008.
When the General Assembly convenes for its legislative short session in May, Representative Goodwin will be a new mom .... again. Wayne, Melanie and (soon-to-be big sister) Madison are pleased to announce they are expecting a family addition in late April. Representative Goodwin will be the first woman legislator in North Carolina history to be expecting a child while in office.
The Goodwins view this baby to be an opportunity for families all across North Carolina.
"With the significant majority of state budget dollars going to public education, as well as to promote and protect families and children, I believe having legislators with young children is vital to the lawmaking process," said Goodwin, "and I'm pleased to be doing my part." She added, "Not only does it mean young families and young parents are directly represented when public policy is made, it also encourages these young parents to become active in the public policy process themselves.”
Rep. Goodwin says that her continued service in the legislature during and after the baby is born reflects what the Democratic Party and its House Democratic Caucus are about: children, families, and the future. House Speaker Joe Hackney agrees. "She is an excellent legislator, a legislator who brings remarkable experience to the General Assembly. Melanie is an attorney, mom, wife and career woman. We do not have a lot of youth in the legislature, but Rep. Goodwin has become a key spokesperson for young families and small businesspersons in rural North Carolina. "
He continued, "The House needs members such as Goodwin who are younger and who know how to manage careers and family. ... She does it with style and gets her work done," Hackney said. ... We need people who know what it's like to drop kids off at daycare," Hackney said.
Wayne Goodwin, meanwhile, is very proud of his wife. "I am in awe of all that she does. Not only is she a strong role model for our daughter, Madison, I truly believe that Melanie herself is an ideal role model for women today," he said. "Her continued service will inspire other women to consider public office, especially election to the General Assembly."
He continued, "Madison already is a kindergartner steeped in civics. We are excited about giving the same educational opportunities for our next child. Our children will understand our passion for and call to public service," he added. "Melanie's commitment, though, is what will make the greatest difference to our children."
What helps the Goodwins immensely with their good news is the outpouring of love and support from family members and from Rep. Goodwin's colleagues in the women's legislative political caucus.
Representative Goodwin is running for re-election to a third term in House District 66 with the support of her whole family. Wayne Goodwin is North Carolina’s Assistant Commissioner of Insurance and a former legislator.
* * * *
Rep. Melanie Wade Goodwin (D) represents the 66th House District, comprised of Richmond and Montgomery counties. She and her family live in Rockingham.
According to the Fayetteville Observer and our good friends over at the "Under the Dome" blog today, State Representative Rick Glazier of Cumberland County has formally stated his decision to forego a bid for Congress in the 8th District.
This apparently leaves only two Democrats in the 2008 race for Congress: Larry Kissell - the 2004 Democratic nominee who lost to Republican Robin Hayes by a scant 320 votes - and John Autry.
From what I have heard from many folks throughout the district (including both persons who know Rick and those who do not), his decision was welcomed.
Rep. Glazier is an excellent legislator, and has been a work-horse (not a show horse, as some lawmakers are, God bless 'em) dedicated to progressive policies in the NC General Assembly. Rick is probably one of the most ardent voices for public education in the State. He has also been an advocate for improvements in our courts and in their pursuit of justice. Rick's decision to seek re-election will help him further the depth of his service on this and other issues. It will also help keep a Democratic majority in the House.
Let me go ahead and admit that I am understandably biased on this post: I'm a former Democratic House member who is married to an outstanding current Democratic House member, works in State government on the legislature's front lines, and serves in several roles in county, district and State party committees.
Instead of a bias, it is more accurate to say that those connections afford me an encyclopedia of more first-hand information than your casual observer, pundit or commentator.
So, consider the great accomplishments of the 2007 legislature, and its Democratic majorities in both chambers:
Enacted additional campaign finance reforms
Enacted reforms in legislative ethics and election law changes
Enacted another pilot public financing program for certain Statewide candidates
Enacted changes in State law that remove the burden of the Medicaid match from counties - (This measure is one I first began working on 10 years ago when only a handful of rural counties were pleading for the change; like many changes, it took time and the addition of a majority of other counties before there was change)
Enacted a high risk insurance pool
Adopted a $20 Billion state budget that provides more resources for education than ever before, and includes more options for counties in need of constructing more public schools
Enacted significant legislation regarding solid waste disposal and limiting the negative impacts of mega-dumps
Enacted legislation that makes NC a leader in energy conservation, promotion of alternative fuels, etc.
Enacted legislation that provides for greater access to public records
Enacted pay raises for State employees and educators
Enacted mental health parity legislation
Enacted legislation that helps combat rate evaders (i.e., the tens of thousands of out-of-state folks - mostly from New York and New Jersey - who fraudulently purchase automobile insurance in NC)
Adopted resolutions where the State formally apologized for slavery, the 1898 Wilmington race riot, and its eugenics program
... and many other positive initiatives.
Notwithstanding, many Republicans - or at least the highly-partisan, right-wingers - will decry the above and say that the 2007 session was a failure because it did not pass legislation seeking a Constitutional amendment against gay marriage. (There is already a statute on the books addressing this topic.)
Those same Republicans and some pundits have labeled this a "Do-Nothing" legislative session.
I beg to differ. If anything, the Democratic leaders in Raleigh made this a "Do Something" session. And they did it quite well.
Wayne Goodwin, now Chairman of the NC Democratic Party, served two 4-year terms as the elected Insurance Commissioner of North Carolina, and the State Fire Marshal. He also served four terms in the NC House of Representatives. Further, Goodwin was President of the Young Democrats of North Carolina and held countless other official capacities on the local, state and national levels. Wayne also served in the past as Assistant Commissioner of Insurance for North Carolina.
Wayne has created four successful small businesses, including two law firms and a consulting firm.
His wife, former State Representative Melanie Wade Goodwin, succeeded him in the General Assembly for three terms of her own. They have one daughter, Madison, and a son, Jackson, named respectively after the 4th and 7th U.S. Presidents.
