Declarations

First Amendment Rights

“Government officials cannot attempt to coerce private parties in order to punish or suppress views that the government disfavors.”

— The U.S. Supreme Court declared in a unanimous opinion written by Justice Sonia Sotomayor, reviving a claim by the National Rifle Association (NRA) that a former New York regulator allegedly violated the organization’s First Amendment rights by coercing insurers and banks to terminate their business relationships with the NRA in order to punish or suppress the NRA’s gun rights advocacy.

Aerial Imagery Evidence

“Some of the aerial images that we’ve seen used to take adverse actions against policyholders barely identify the structure of the home, much less the detailed condition of the roof and whether it needs to be repaired or replaced.”

— Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Michael Humphreys stated in a press release after the state’s insurance department released a bulletin reminding insurers of their obligation to conduct a physical inspection to confirm the type and extent of damage to a roof supposedly evidenced by aerial imagery. The department said it has received consumer complaints regarding insurers using aerial imagery canceling or not renewing policies due to the condition of their roofs.

‘Unprecedented Impact’

“This was an unprecedented impact on our wind fleet, and we have operated wind farms since 2004.”

— MidAmerican Energy Company said in a statement after its Orient wind farm in Iowa suffered a direct hit from a powerful tornado that crumpled five of the massive, power-producing towers, including one that burst into flames. The wind farm recorded wind speeds of more than 100 mph as tornadoes approached just before the turbines were destroyed, the company said.

‘Not in Agreement’

“We are not in agreement with the insurance companies’ proposed increases. … It is now necessary to hold a hearing to reach a resolution that will make the most financial sense for our residents and insurance companies.”

— North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey said in a statement after rejecting the NC Rate Bureau’s request for an 83% average rate increase in mobile home fire policies and a 50% increase in mobile home casualty rates over the next three years. Causey scheduled a 2025 hearing date but it will likely be canceled if a compromise is negotiated. The last negotiated, final rate increase for mobile homes was 10% and 15%, in 2022.

Uvalde Lawsuits

“There is a direct line between the conduct of these companies and the Uvalde shooting. … This three-headed monster knowingly exposed him to the weapon, conditioned him to see it as a tool to solve his problems and trained him to use it.”

— Said Josh Koskoff, an attorney for families in Uvalde, Texas, who are suing Meta Platforms, which owns Instagram, and the maker of the video game Call of Duty over claims the companies bear responsibility for the May 24, 2022, shooting by the teenage gunman at Uvalde’s Robb Elementary School. Nineteen children and two teachers were killed. The families also filed suit against Daniel Defense, which manufactured the AR-style rifle used in the shooting.

‘Not a Game’

“This is not a game. … We are working together for safer California, putting aside politics and making sure we do right for our communities.”

— Said California Senate President Mike McGuire, a Democrat who represents the North Coast, after the state senate approved a bipartisan package of 15 bills that would increase penalties for organized crime rings, expand drug court programs, and close a legal loophole to make it easier to prosecute auto thefts. One proposal would require large online marketplaces — like eBay and Amazon — to verify the identities of sellers who make at least $5,000 profit in a year, in an attempt to shut down an easy way to sell stolen goods.