Latest Politics Headlines
All the headlines from our Politics Topic Page, ordered by recency.
Mich. GOP Senator Sponsors Legislation that Rewards Healthy Habits
Jan 24 2006 // Exercising everyday and not smoking could bring more than good health to those who participate. In Michigan it could mean cost savings for Medicaid patients who sign on to a healthier lifestyle. On the premise that good...
Conn. Senate Democrats Eye Merger of Insurance and Banking Agencies
Jan 11 2006 // Senate Democratic leaders in Hartford have proposed several changes in state law they say will make Connecticut more business friendly. The proposals include merging the insurance and banking departments to “better...
Okla. Senate Sub-Committee to Hold Hearing on Rural Fire Department Funding Needs
Jan 9 2006 // The Oklahoma Senate Appropriations Sub-Committee on Natural Resources and Regulatory Services will hold a hearing Jan. 12, 2006, on the funding needs of rural fire departments in Oklahoma in the wake of the wildfires that...
Feds Promise Full Probe of Mine Disaster; Democrats Seek Hearings
Jan 6 2006 // The White House promised a full investigation of the West Virginia coal mine disaster that killed 12 people. Congressional Democrats called for hearings to look into both the safety record of the mining company and the...
SENATE BILLS
Dec 19 2005 // SB-1: Provides for registration of sex offenders in emergency housing, enhances penalties for failure to register, and requires re-registration under certain circumstances; SB-10: Provides for unemployment compensation...
Patriot Act Re-authorization Nixed by U.S. Senate
Dec 18 2005 // The life insurance industry had a stake in a decision made on Capitol Hill on Friday when the U. S. Senate refused to re-authorize major portions of the USA Patriot Act. Critics of the act complained they infringed too...
Pa. Senate Votes to Revive ‘Fair Share’ Lawsuit Reform Act
Dec 7 2005 // The Pennsylvania state Senate has voted to restore the “Fair Share Act” lawsuit reform in a 32-18 vote. State Sen. Jake Corman (R-34), the bill’s author, said that Senate Bill 435 brings Pennsylvania in...
PCI: Senate Passage of La. Flooded Vehicles Bill Hurts Consumers
Nov 22 2005 // In a move that could prove detrimental to Louisiana consumers and insurers, the Louisiana Legislature narrowly passed a bill last night that would require all vehicles determined to be “total” losses as a...
Editor’s Note: GOP gap
Nov 20 2005 // Congress finally appears to be moving on terrorism insurance. After the year is up, whether or not the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act is extended, there ought to be an independent high-level inquiry into why it took so long...
Senate Passes Terrorism Insurance Extension
Nov 18 2005 // Moving just days after committees in the House and Senate advanced terrorism insurance bills, the full U.S. Senate today passed its version of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Extension Act of 2005 (S. 467). By a voice vote,...
La. Senate Passes Building Code Bill; PCI Urges House to do the Same
Nov 18 2005 // The Louisiana Senate took the first steps in ensuring the rebuilding of a stronger Louisiana by passing legislation that will create a mandatory and uniform statewide building code. During the second week of a special...
Senate, House Panels Both Advance Terrorism Insurance Bills
Nov 16 2005 // The Senate Banking Committee and House Financial Services Committee each marked up legislation Wednesday to extend the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA) for two years. The Senate Banking Committee reported out S. 467 by...
As House Prepares Terrorism Insurance Bill Today, Coalition Offers Support and Senate Readies Its Own
Nov 16 2005 // Business insurance consumers represented by the multi-industry Coalition to Insure Against Terrorism have expressed their support for federal terrorism insurance legislation that will be marked up by the House Committee on...
Willis Group Leader Testifies Before Senate Subcommittee on Construction Risks in New Orleans Recovery
Nov 8 2005 // Paul Becker, North American Construction Practice Group leader for Willis, the global insurance broker, testified Tuesday at a hearing held by the Senate Subcommittee on Superfund and Waste Management on the construction...
SAFECO INSURANCE CEO RETIRING; WILL RUN FOR U.S. SENATE
Nov 7 2005 // Insurance executive Mike McGavick, who is retiring as chief executive officer of Safeco Insurance, has announced his bid for Senator of Washington. For the past three months, McGavick said he has been exploring whether he...
Business, Republicans, Even Democrats Sorry to See Oxley Go
Nov 4 2005 // Republican Rep. Mike Oxley announced this week that he will retire, depriving Congress of one of its most powerful champions for corporate oversight and insurance protection. His departure at the end of his term in January...
Tort Reform Legislation Passes House, Moves to Senate
Oct 28 2005 // By a vote of 228-184 on Thursday, the House of Representatives favorably approved H.R. 420, the Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act (LARA). The legislation, introduced by Representative Lamar Smith (R-Texas), would penalize...
Conn. Senate Approves Measure to Close Truck Insurance Loophole
Oct 28 2005 // Connecticut lawmakers moved closer this week toward making it a felony for the owner of a commercial vehicle to knowingly operate it without insurance. Responding to a fiery 20-vehicle crash in Avon that killed four people...
Ill. Senate Passes Kids’ Health Bill
Oct 27 2005 // Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s plan to provide health insurance to all children in Illinois passed the Senate yesterday and is poised for vote in the Illinois House today during a short-term veto session. The Senate...
Big ‘I’ Pleased with Senate Committee’s Look Involving Flood Program
Oct 18 2005 // The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) said Tuesday it is pleased that Congress is taking up the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and how to improve it. The Senate...