Letters to the Editor

INSURANCE FIASCO

It seems that I am constantly reading headlines about the insurance crisis in Louisiana. Higher insurance rates, more problems with Citizens Insurance and increased obstacles for obtaining new homeowner policies are a regular occurrence. There is simply no good reason for our insurance system to be in this poor condition.

What is going on at the Department of Insurance?

As a former candidate for the office, I've tried hard not to publicly criticize the current leaders at the department. But I can't be silent any longer. Last Tuesday, the Rating Commission voted 3 to 1 to increase the rates for some Allstate customers in New Orleans by over 52 percent, and the acting insurance commissioner didn't even show up to lead the meeting.

As former legislative auditor I know a few things about waste in state government. And I can't remember a time when leadership was more critical or more lacking.