Photo: Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (right) discusses flood insurance reform with David Coffield, an aide to Rep. Steve Scalise at the Congressman’s Washington, D.C. office
Assemblyman Goldfeder writes to Louisiana and Mississippi Representatives in Congress on 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina to request meetings, urge concerted effort in fight to fix broken National Flood Insurance Program
Goldfeder praises FEMA clawback reform spearheaded by Rep. Gregory Meeks, touts proposal to create state Flood Insurance Association as model for improvements ahead of 3rd Sandy anniversary
Rockaway Beach, Queens - Seeking to build national support for efforts to improve the broken, debt-ridden National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), New York State Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (D - Rockaway Beach) has written letters to Congressional Representatives in Louisiana and Mississippi to request meetings and encourage collaboration on flood insurance reform for families faced with rising premiums and federal bureaucracy. The move comes as the Gulf Coast region marks the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.
"Families in southern Queens and Rockaway were utterly devastated during Sandy," said Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder. "But, the crushing bureaucracy and harmful policies of FEMA and the NFIP made us victims two times over. Sadly, few understand this as well as Katrina-devastated communities in Louisiana and Mississippi. That's why I've reached out to congressional leaders in both states to ask for their support and expertise in fixing the broken NFIP and creating lasting flood insurance reform to benefit our families moving forward."
In letters to Congressional representatives in Mississippi and Louisiana communities hardest hit by Hurricane Katrina, Assemblyman Goldfeder wrote to request meetings to discuss potential fixes to NFIP at a time when the federal program finds itself $24 billion in debt. Goldfeder emphasized similar experiences of Katrina and Superstorm Sandy victims in dealing with a myriad of issues including post-disaster insurance payouts, FEMA's policy of Recoupment, and rising flood insurance premiums.
According to Goldfeder, the following legislators were sent the correspondence: Rep. Steven Palazzo (MS-4), Steve Scalise (LA-1), Cedric Richmond (LA-2), Ralph Abraham (LA-5), and Garret Graves (LA-6). Goldfeder indicated that he has already spoken with legislative aids for Scalise and Richmond during a visit last week to Washington to discuss flood insurance reform with members of the New York delegation. With the letter, Goldfeder intends to make a second trip to the nation's capital to meet with recipients and encourage collaboration at the federal level.
Earlier this year, the Assemblyman unveiled plans to create the New York Flood Insurance Association (NYFIA). Goldfeder's plan is modeled on the New York Property Insurance Underwriters Association, which was created in 1968 to provide dwelling and commercial coverage for inner-city property owners unable to get covered for fire insurance in the face of frequent rioting and urban decay. Like the Underwriters Association, Goldfeder's proposal would create an alternative means for homeowners to obtain flood insurance coverage that is too expensive or otherwise unavailable under NFIP.
NYFIA includes provisions to help keep costs low for both policyholders and insurers, and would serve to combat many of the issues homeowners have faced after major flooding events. Following Sandy, families found their insurance claims contested by providers, with some even experiencing allegedly fraudulent practices on the part of insurance adjusters.
Goldfeder, a member of the Assembly Committee on Insurance, has long been an advocate for families struggling with complicated insurance policies and rising premiums. In 2013, Goldfeder helped pass a comprehensive Sandy insurance legislative package to reform the process of providing insurance coverage, strengthen homeowners' rights and hold companies to a higher standard of accountability.
Goldfeder has also been a staunch supporter of efforts by Rep. Greg Meeks to reauthorize a FEMA recoupment waiver passed after Katrina. By reaching out to legislators in other states, Goldfeder hopes to draw even greater attention to the issue of flood insurance reform.
"Our broken flood insurance system affects families all across the country. With each new disaster, the problem grows and the need for reform becomes more pressing," concluded Goldfeder.
A copy of Assemblyman Goldfeder's correspondence is below:
Rep. Steve Scalise
2338 Rayburn HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Rep. Scalise,
I am writing to you on behalf of the many of my constituents affected by the devastation of Superstorm Sandy to request a meeting with you to discuss efforts to fix the broken National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
As you may know, the areas of southern Queens and Rockaway in New York City experienced unimaginable devastation as a result of Superstorm Sandy in 2012. Roughly eighty-five percent of my district was destroyed in the wind, flood waters and electrical fires that ravaged our close-knit communities and forced thousands out of their homes. The images of entire blocks burned to the ground in the small beachfront communities of Breezy Point and Belle Harbor were seared into our nation’s collective conscience and spurred so many to action and volunteerism during our recovery.
Sadly, these are undoubtedly familiar scenes to the many of your constituents who lost so much when Hurricane Katrina made landfall in southern Louisiana. As we pause to remember these moments on the 10th anniversary of Katrina and with the 3rd anniversary of Sandy just more than a month away, I write to you in search of common ground and collaboration in our fight to aid those still struggling to recover so many years after these dark days.
For the communities I represent, one of our most pressing issues is the need to reform the broken National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Since Sandy, I have been contacted by countless families facing rising flood insurance premiums as the result of gradual rate increases prescribed under the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014. Without Congressional action in the coming years, we could see even greater premiums that could bankrupt our families and price them out of the communities they know and love.
In New York State, I have introduced legislation creating the New York Flood Insurance Association. This joint underwriting association would give homeowners a choice by providing an alternative to the NFIP. Under my proposal, we would create a system that requires insurers to put some skin in the game and pool risks to help lower flood insurance premiums for our families.
I have also been a staunch advocate of efforts by my good friend and colleague Congressman Gregory Meeks (NY-5) to introduce legislation waiving the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) policy of recoupment with regard to Sandy aid. Congressman Meek’s tireless efforts, which are modeled in part on similar legislation passed in the wake of Katrina, would bring considerable relief to families who for all intents and purposes are being punished for spending needed funds received as the result of a clerical error on the part of FEMA.
I respectfully request the opportunity to meet with you to discuss my proposal creating the New York Flood Insurance Association; as well as to find ways to collaborate on efforts to reform the National Flood Insurance Program and provide affordable, comprehensive flood protection for the families in our districts. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me or my Communications Director, Jon Greenfield, at (718) – 945-9550.
I thank you in advance for your prompt attention and response to this matter.
Sincerely,
Phillip Goldfeder
Member of New York State Assembly
23rd District, Queens
GO PHIL!
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