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Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Bipartisanship welcome in insurance rate debate


Skyrocketing flood insurance rates is a pressing issue for thousands of people in Louisiana. Tuesday, a group of Washington D.C. lawmakers presented a plan to help. That bipartisan effort is the subject of this week’s Commentary by Eyewitness News Political Analyst and Gambit columnist Clancy DuBos.
Clancy DuBos / Eyewitness News Political Analyst
It’s about time we got some good news out of Washington.
Tuesday, Louisiana senators and representatives joined a bipartisan effort to delay flood insurance rate increases by up to four years. The plan was hatched in the Senate, but it has the support of state Rep. Maxine Waters, who co-authored the dreaded Biggert-Waters Act of 2012. That’s the law that’s causing the massive rate hikes.
Getting Waters’ support is critical. But it’s just as important that the bill has bipartisan support in both the House and Senate.
After months of gridlock on other issues, like raising the debt ceiling and implementing the Affordable Care Act, it’s encouraging to see lawmakers from both parties agreeing on a major piece of legislation. Without bipartisan support, the measure would have no chance of success. Even with support from both parties, it faces a long road to passage.
Flood insurance protects millions of people across America, not just here in south Louisiana. Hopefully, Congress will act quickly. Equally important, let’s hope this exercise in bipartisanship will carry over to other big issues.

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