The legislative session that began with Senate Republicans changing the rules to advance a partisan agenda, ended with Republican leaders in the House putting that same partisan agenda ahead of numerous policy priorities at the close of the session.  (more…)

Insurance reform is not the only thing jeopardized by the Republican Leadership’s cynical calendar placement of the voter ID bill. Here is some of the critical legislation that may fail to be taken up because of the priority given to voter suppression. (more…)

Over 160 amendments were pre-filed last night to the TDI Sunset bill which is officially set on today’s House Calendar.  Under house Rules, amendments to Sunset bills must be pre-filed the day before consideration so that they may be fully considered and analyzed by all sides in the debate. (more…)

No one knew, until now, what Democrats would do to fight what they call the “voter suppression” bill.  They have begun a process known as “chubbing”, a parliamentary delaying tactic, where there is extended floor Q&A on non controversial local and uncontested bills.  Hundreds of such bills are on the calendar.  How long Democrats can and will keep this up is uncertain.  Hopefully, negotiations are underway.

Partisan Republicans want a voter ID bill and the Republican leadership has put many pieces of important legislation on the calendar behind this bill.  Republicans seem to be trying to force Democrats to accept a disadvantage in future elections in exchange for progressive legislation now. (more…)

A recent report sheds some light on why health insurance rates in Texas rose nearly six times faster than wages between the years 2000 2007. Data released by the American Medical Association shows that two insurance companies, Blue Cross Blue Shield and United Healthcare, control 68 percent of the insurance market in the state. (more…)

The TDI Sunset bill has been placed on the House Calendar for Saturday, May 23.  Unfortunately, it was scheduled two bills behind the controversial Voter ID bill.  The implications of this are unclear; but, ominous.  (more…)

The House Insurance Committee convened Monday night and quickly passed the TDI Sunset bill without consideration of amendments. Less than two weeks remain in the Regular Legislative Session. Committee chairman John Smithee urged quick action on the bill, anticipating a large number of amendments on the House floor.

“I think this is a situation where the floor is going to be a very active participant in the process,” the Amarillo representative said. (more…)

Rep. Trey Martinez-Fischer showed strong leadership on the House floor on Tuesday by arguing that more authority be granted to the Office of Public Insurance Council (OPIC), the agency representing consumers before the Texas Department of Insurance. (more…)

The US Treasury Department’s recent multi-billion dollar bailout of major insurance companies including Allstate, Texas’s second largest homeowners insurance provider, reminds us how much reform is needed in the insurance industry. (more…)

The House Insurance Committee is expected to take up the TDI Sunset Bill this week, and homeowners across the state will be paying close attention to the proceedings. So far this session, information regarding the Texas Department of Insurance has been less than uplifting. (more…)