Since Hurricane Katrina’s devastation in 2005 and subsequent legal battles between homeowners and insurance companies, Buckel has lobbied lawmakers for more protections and rights for insurance policyholders. He’s thus far been defeated by the powerful insurance lobby. And what started as a more comprehensive “policyholders’ bill of rights” years ago has been whittled down to one item: adopting into law rulings by the state Supreme Court and federal court that insurance companies have the burden of proof when they deny a homeowners claim.
Sun Herald column Political buzz on former New Orleanian turned Long Beach resident Kevin Buckel’s efforts to get some consumer protection from corporate predators like State Farm into the Mississippi Code. Big business claims to be for the rule of law except when it runs counter to their financial interests. I’ve always held the opinion that 90% of the policyholder disputes after Katrina originated with baseless legal positions initially taken by insurers.
West Pier rising: Port will begin elevation work soon ~ Anita Lee on post Katrina reconstruction at the State Port of Gulfport. To the extent port debris played a large part in the destruction of my neighborhood I’ve followed the doings there closely. The West Pier elevation to 25 feet should help mitigate such problems in the future.
sop
I like this dude Buckel, he’s not letting it die on the vine. But from what I’ve seen of Mississippi insurance law, some time limits need to be implemented. The Louisiana legislature codified the burden of proof in some respects after Katrina. Like everything else this fell off people’s radars.
Phildo and Chaney paid him lots of lip service down here. I frankly expected them to attempt to slither away from their campaign promises. I am keeping an eye on this.
sop
The port deal is a prime example of how state and local governments are fast and loose with federal funds. No way the state would spend $600 million on the port project if they had to pay 25% of the cost. Raising it to 25 feet doesn’t help save downtown and west Gulfport. It just funnels more surge there. No way a legitimate cost/benefit analysis justifies this $600 million.