News 14 Carolina - Political Connections

Rand vs. Long--Expect an interesting battle on Tuesday morning. Got a call this morning making sure I headed to the Senate Commerce committee meeting Tuesday morning.

Senate Majority Leader Tony Rand has an insurance related bill being heard in that committee.
http://www.ncleg.net/Sessions/2007/Bills/Senate/HTML/S901v1.html

The bill essentially strips the insurance commissioner of his current duties to set auto insurance rates and hear the cases put forth by insurance companies. The law appoints a special judge to take the commissioner's spot doing that job.

Jim Long, current commissioner, is obviously strong against it and will be there Tuesday. It's an elected position so insurance companies feel the commissioner denies higher rates because of his need to keep the people happy. The commissioner will likely tell lawmakers to expect higher rates if this law passes.

Interesting that Tony Rand is taking this to task and just as interesting his only co-sponsor is a Republican.

Stay tuned!