Two resolutions: Home Insurance reform and Re-regulating the Electricity market
If you care to copy, paste, modify, and present to your convention:
Resolution supporting re-regulation of electricity
WHEREAS we believe every Texas property owner has the right to a fair price for electricity to power their homes, business property, public facilities
WHEREAS prior to 1999, Texas, the energy capital of the world, was known for its reliable electricity generation and rated #4 in the nation for affordability based upon a regulated market
WHEREAS in the 1999 Legislation Session, the electricity market was deregulated with heavy lobbying by Enron with promises of free market competition resulting in consumers being able to “shop around” for lower, competitive, rates.
WHEREAS after 15 years the reforms of 1999 have resulted in Texas dropping from #4 to #37 in affordability, electricity rates skyrocketing, and a system to allow consumers to “shop around” full of hidden fees for credit checks, application fees, penalties for conserving energy, making it impossible to actually compare rates from multiple vendors.
WHEREAS in 2009 the Texas Legislature passed SB 547 by Senator Kevin Eltife that halted the deregulation of electricity in Northeast Texas due to the failure of electricity deregulation to reduce rates.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Texas Democratic Party supports the passage of legislation that would restore consumer protections for Texans by re-regulating the electricity market.
Submitted to and Adopted by Precinct 699 in Senate District 11 in Harris County, Texas, on March 22, 2014.
_________________________________
Convention Secretary
Resolution supporting property insurance reform
WHEREAS we believe every Texas property owner has the right to a fair price for insurance to protect their property, belongings and families; and
WHEREAS Texas property owners, after paying premiums to insurance companies are entitled to be fairly and quickly compensated for damage to their property after an event; and
WHEREAS in the 2003 Legislation Session, the insurance industry was reformed with the passage of Senate Bill 14 with promises of lower insurance premiums, lower deductibles, better protection, less regulation of the industry, and more free and open competition to drive down costs; and
WHEREAS after 10 years the reforms of 2003 has resulted in skyrocketing premiums and deductibles, less protection for property owners, little if any competition to bring fair pricing, and a system for coastal property owners (TWIA) on the brink of insolvency.
WHEREAS prior to 2003 only 6% of property owners on the coast were protected by the “insurance of last resort”, the Texas Windstorm Agency yet in 2014 76% of property owners are now protected by TWIA with the private insurance companies fleeing the coast for less risky areas of Texas
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Texas Democratic Party supports the passage of legislation that would restore consumer protections for Texas property by reversing the reforms of SB14, requiring insurance companies to justify any rate increases with heavy penalties for those who refuse to honor their contracts by not paying claims in a timely manner.
Submitted to and Adopted by Precinct 699 in Senate District 11 in Harris County, Texas, on March 22, 2014.
_________________________________
Convention Secretary
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