Back in May Former Harris County Dept of Education Trustee, Eric Dick, filed a new Treasurer appointment to run for the Board again. Dick served on the Board then he decided to run for Houston City Council in 2019. He lost that race but not before generating a boat load of controversy. The headline from the Houston Chronicle says it all: “Houston Republican fined $30K for mailers suggesting Black Democrats endorsed him“.
He was not only fined $30,000 but the Ethics Commission referred him to the Texas Bar. I’m not sure what they would do with this but I doubt it would be a Rudy Giuliani outcome.
So today Dick has filed a “Designation of final report” which, according to the Texas Ethics Commission, terminates his newly appointed treasurer and relieves him of the duty to file any more reports. I am just assuming Dick has pulled out of the race. His final report show no money raised or spent during the short period.
I guess if he can find another Treasurer he can refile. Who knows?
Senator Middleton is using his wealth to finance campaigns across Texas, hand picking extreme right wing candidates and providing them with funding. His biggest contribution, according to the Texas Ethics Committee, is to himself. Since 2015 Middleton self financed his campaigns for State House and Senate to the tune of $5.7 Million.
Middleton has donated over $9 million to candidates and extreme right wing organizations with over 60% going to his own campaigns. Some of his biggest donations include $300,000 to Louie Gohmert who unsuccessfully ran for Texas Attorney General against Ken Paxton in the Republican Primary. He donated over $60,000 to Galveston’s State Representative Terri Wilson. Wilson raised over 87% of her entire campaign donations from out of district PACs and individuals. He donated a few thousand dollars to the leader of conservative values, State Representative Tony Tinderholt, who has been married 5 times. He donated $186,000 to Carrie Isaac of Dripping Springs.
It’s almost funny. Homeowners can voice their opinion at the TWIA meeting July 11 in person or via Zoom. More information is here.
So…back in 2003 I was a consumer advocate and watched as Rick Perry and the Republican Party reformed the home insurance industry. Here is what Perry said after his industry friendly bill passed:
“This comprehensive reform measure will stabilize the home and auto insurance market, rid the insurance industry of fraudulent practices and ensure Texans have access to fair rates offered in a competitive market,”
LOL. How did that work fer ya? Actually not so well. Home insurance rates have since skyrocketed even prior to the post COVID inflationary period. TWIA (Texas Windstorm Insurance Association) has jumped on the opportunity to raise premiums by 20-25%. According to TWIA:
The Rate Adequacy Analysis indicates that TWIA’s current rates are inadequate by 20 percent for residential coverage and 22 percent for commercial coverage.
TWIA was created back in 1971 after Hurricane Celia and was to be the insurance policy of last resort for owners who could not find coverage. At the time insurance companies were removing wind storm protection from their policies. TWIA was created to respond to the situation and was doing just fine until 2003 when insurance reform kicked in. According to the graph provided by TWIA the number of structures covered by TWIA skyrocketed after 2003.
And the rest is history. Luckily our own State Representative Dennis Paul is on the House Committee on Insurance. I am sure he is working hard for those soon to be affected by the TWIA increase. As I said, it’s almost funny.
I was a Karen this week. (My apologies to those named Karen) As a former consumer activist it really grinds my gears when someone tries to wiggle out of taking responsibility for their actions, but acting like a Karen wasn’t the best thing to do.
So, here is the story. I took my Subaru to Clear Lake Subaru. They replaced my transmission under an extended warranty. A while later I took it back in because it felt like it was “slipping”. So they replaced the new transmission with a rebuilt one. A while later I returned, again with the same problem. Turns out it wasn’t the transmission after all. It was an ignition coil. They wanted $600 to fix it. I bought the part of $100, watched a YouTube video on how to fix it, and completed the job in 5 minutes. Needless to say I wasn’t very thrilled, but my car was working just fine. Until….
The transmission pan gasket was leaking. That was why I took it back to Subaru. I should have known better. I sat in the waiting room for 2 hours. I enquired about the status after an hour, then again after 2. The second time I got their attention and they confirmed it was the seal on the transmission that they put it that was the problem. They wanted me to pay $550 to repair it.
Really. Needless to say I tried to explain and remind them of what the had done in the past including misdiagnosing the problem and replacing my new transmission with a rebuilt one. Now, to their credit, they offered to “research” the issue and try to have it replaced but the Karen in me was not happy with that offer and I told them so in many different ways.
So I have contacted Subaru of America, explained the situation, including me acting like a Karen, and asked for help. $550 to replace a gasket on a new transmission is insane. The gasket is a $10 part. Let’s see if Subaru comes through.
While you have been clutching your guns your rights to the 7th amendment of the Constitution has been taken away.
Texans for Lawsuit Reform filed their first Ethics Commission report back in 2000. I remember their lobbyists at the Texas Capitol from my years as a consumer advocate. They claim to advocate on behalf of Texans but the money they raise paint a very different picture.
Mandatory Binding Arbitration The 7th Amendment of the Constitution states “In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved…..” In short, we have (had) a right to a civil trial for consumer issues such as a faulty foundation in your new home, or cell phone contracts, or buying a new or used car. Giving up your Constitutional rights isn’t an option in Texas. It’s called “Mandatory” for a reason. You have no choice and if you think it is “faster, cheaper, better” you are just ignorant, as most consumers are.
Protecting the bad doctors TLR also advocated for changing the Texas Constitution to allow for limits on medical malpractice. At the time they said it would lower our health insurance bills and protect doctors from malpractice suits. So take a look at your healthcare bills and tell me how that worked out fer ya. (Hint. It didn’t) As expected nothing has changed. Texas ranks #1 in the uninsured, #45 in health care access, and #38 in overall health care. Luckily most Texans will never need the help of a Texas trial lawyer when it comes to medical malpractice, but when you do….god help you.
TLR Donors So who has wiped out your safety nets? Since 2000 TLR has raised over $109 Million. $153,000 or .13% (not 13% .13%) was raised from the everyday, common, ignorant, citizen who donated $100 or less thinking they were helping. $90 Million or 83% came from donors who gave from $20,000 to $5,000,000. $48.5 Million or 44% came from just 18 individuals. It gives you an idea of who TLR really represents. In 2020 there was a significant increase in donations corresponding to the 2020 elections.
Here are the top donors:
Name
Amount
Jan Duncan
$7,300,000
Retired
Richard Weekley
$6,300,000
Homebuilder
Ross Perot
$4,700,000
Developer
Robert McNair
$4,500,000
Texans Owner
Bob Perry
$3,100,000
Homebuilder
Jeffery Hildebrand
$2,800,000
Energy
Harlan Crow
$2,500,000
Investor
Harold Simmons
$2,400,000
Financial Planning
Joe Walter
$2,300,000
Oil & Gas
David Weekley
$2,100,000
Homebuilder
Anthony Annunziato
$1,600,000
Commodity Trading
W Bosarge
$1,500,000
Consulting
Boone Pickens
$1,300,000
Investments
Kenney Troutt
$1,200,000
Investments
Alan Hassenflu
$1,700,000
Real Estate
Jay Adair
$1,100,000
Auto Parts
Javiad Anwar
$1,000,000
Energy
Russell Gordy
$1,000,000
Oil & Gas
$48,400,000
And if you are interested in graphs:
So you better go clutch that gun a bit tighter because that is all you have at this point.
Find a free rental coupon for Redbox. Rent the 65 movie. Give the movie to your neighbors. When they are busy watching and wondering why in the living hell you gave them this piece of crap, steal their lawnmower. At least you will get a lawnmower for your efforts.
It was just that bad. It’s so bad it makes me cringe to have to remember the memorable parts to write about them. I just can’t. Gosh that was a waste of $5.99 and 90 minutes of my life. I could have watch Boston get their asses handed to them at home sending Miami to the NBA finals.
Glad you asked. Take a seat and read about the history of insurance reform in Texas.
Many years ago I was a consumer activist advocating for consumers with a construction defect in their new homes. I volunteered my time and money beginning in the mid 1990’s up until 2011. During that time I saw the Texas Legislature usher in home insurance reform with promises of lower rates and fair marketing practices. At the time Governor Rick Perry issued this statement:
“This comprehensive reform measure will stabilize the home and auto insurance market, rid the insurance industry of fraudulent practices and ensure Texans have access to fair rates offered in a competitive market,” Perry said during thesigning ceremony at a home construction site in Temple. “For some Texans that will mean significant rate discounts. For all Texans it will mean rate practices that are transparent and fair.”
That was 20 years ago. So how did that work fer ya cowboy?
In the beginning, or about in 2002. In 2002 insurance rates was a huge campaign issue. Rick Perry won reelection promising to reform insurance, releasing the power of the free market to do their thing. Prior to 2003 insurance companies had to justify rate increases prior to raising rates. They also had to provide all inclusive policies covering fire, water, wind, storm etc. For consumers it made it easy to compare rates.
Then 2003 happened The state decided to change to a file and use system where companies filed their new rates and started using the new rates immediately. The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) could, after the fact, challenge the rate increases. TDI challenged few if any. They also let insurance companies offer just the basic policies that cover only wind, storm, and water events. Some how they let them adjust the cost to rebuild the home which in my case increased by 50% in one year causing the premium to skyrocket. They let the companies remove coverage such as foundation, water, and sewer damage but they didn’t have to adjust the premiums to account for the lost coverage. In my case I had to actually buy it back.
20 Years later Just look at your policy. We are getting royally screwed. Premiums have skyrocketed. Companies have left the area. Deductables are so high you wonder why you have insurance in the first place! Again in my situation I eventually left USAA after they raised my premiums from $4000 to $5000. The cost to rebuild is over $440,000 making my deductible $8800!!!! I have documented most of the years from 2000 to just a few years ago. You can see that information below.
Politically speaking Our State Representative Dennis Paul is on the insurance committee. You might want to ask what in the living hell he has bee focusing on besides insurance rates in his district. Maybe he is too busy protecting guns, praising god, and limiting the rights of gays.
My Premiums Before and After Insurance Reform of 2003:
2000: $783\year $500 deductible HOB policy all inclusive.
2014: $3800\year $4800 deductible HOA with foundation, water, and sewer optional
Historic Increases of my Premiums Since 2000:
Year
Premium
Deductible
Increase
Notes
2000
$783.00
$500.00
0.00%
Before insurance became an issue
2001
$862.00
$500.00
10.00%
Removed mold coverage but did not decrease premium
2002
$1,060.00
$500.00
22.90%
Became an election issue
***2003
$1,375.00
$500.00
29.70%
Includes a 7% reduction and use of HO-A Policies
2004
$1,589.00
$500.00
15.40%
Insurance reform in 2003. Had to add back water, foundation and sewer coverage
2005
$1,352.00
$500.00
-14.90%
No change in policy
2006
$1,363.00
$2,400
<1%
Deductible increased
**2007
$1,600.00
$2,400
15.10%
Rebuild cost 50% higher
*2008
$1,900.00
$2,400
18.00%
Tier II classification
2009
$2,300.00
$2,400
21.00%
No change in policy
2010
$2,800.00
$4,800
24.00%
Doubled deductible.
2011
$4,800
No change in policy
2012
$4,800
No change in policy
2013
$3,300.00
$4800
No change in policy
2014
$3,800.00
$4,800
15.00%
No change in policy
*Reclassifying your home in a “tier zone”. This resulted in an 18% increase to my rates in 2008. The TDI had no comment when this was brought to their attention. Next year USAA could create yet another type of tier zone and the TDI will do nothing.
**Using a different system to determine the cost to rebuild a home. This resulted in an increase of 50% in the cost to rebuild my home, and a 15% increase in premiums. This new cost to rebuild the home was based upon a “new” method created by USAA.
***Removing protection. USAA changed to an HO-A type of policy making sewer, water, and foundation damage optional to save money for those who do not want or can’t afford the coverage. Unfortunately, when they removed the coverage, they did not reduce the rates. When I added the coverage back into the policy it resulted in an 29% increase.
What an asshole. What a truly crippled, Texas sized, rotten asshole of a human being. It’s bad enough Texas Governor Greg Abbott loves guns more than our families. It’s bad enough that he enjoys owning the libs by posing with guns so big it would topple him off his wheelchair if he actually shot it. It’s bad enough that he signed a gun sanctuary bill after the killings at Santa Fe. It’s bad enough that he can’t even offer thoughts and prayers after mass shootings for fear of being ridiculed.
And now after another 5 human beings, including another 9 year old kid, were killed with a gun Abbott gave to the shooter, he had to reach down into his bag of racist dog whistles to post a heartless tweet :
I’ve announced a $50K reward for info on the criminal who killed 5 illegal immigrants Friday. Also directed #OperationLoneStar to be on the lookout.
Abbott is still mad about that tree that put him in a wheelchair many years ago and he has taken that anger out on Texans ever since. Our families are not safe at schools, Walmarts, churches, dance clubs, concerts, parades, etc, etc. Our home insurance, electricity, college tuition, taxes, and the cost of living in this shit hole state has skyrocketed making Texas the 7th worst state to retire in. We lead the nation in mass shootings and yet he does nothing but sit on his ass.
Unfortunately over half of Texans have no problem with him. It doesn’t seem to matter that under his watch 19 children, 9 year old children, were slaughtered at school. It doesn’t matter to them that 27 Christians were slaughtered at church in Sutherland Springs, or 5 police officers were killed in Dallas by a shooter with an AR15. It doesn’t matter to them that they froze their asses off when the grid failed. They don’t care. They put him back in office.
So fuck Greg Abbott and everyone who voted for him.
If you like crawfish there are a number of places to eat and eat all you can eat. As always remember that when eating crawfish wash your hands BEFORE you go to the bathroom. Here are the best opportunities:
Carlos Beer Garden.All you can eat (AYCE) on Thursdays and Saturdays 6PM-9PM. $30. Carlos Beer Garden has been around since 1978. Great garage bar. Always a fun place to hang outside, grab a beer (or more) and enjoy a burger. Crawfish crowds usually are big so you might want to get your tickets early.
Floyd’s Seafood. 5 lbs for $25. It’s been my experience the crawfish are on the larger side. Call to verify. Locations are in Webster and Pearland.
Barge 295.The old “Turtle Club”. Happy Hour 2-6PM Monday-Thursday 5 lbs for $24.95, 3 lbs for $16.96 1 lbs for $5.95. AYCE for $29.95 on Tuesday from 5-9PM. Great place on a floating dock on the lake in Seabrook.
Cabo Clear Lake. Sunday special. 8 lbs for $38 1 lbs for $7.99. Another place on the lake. I haven’t been there yet but my neighbors love the place!
Bo-Shay’s Cajun Smokehouse in Baycliff. Sundays 5 Lbs for $24.95. I have not been there. They have a big variety of menu options.
There are other places in the area but the prices above are the best! I’ll update as other locations start bringing their prices down.
Background I was with AT&T when they were called Houston Cellular with the flip phones, then Southwestern Bell, then finally AT&T. That was decades of loyalty. That ended last year when I moved to T-Mobile and although there are a few hiccups, I haven’t been happier.
I had Uverse TV, AT&T Internet (only 50mps) and 4 cell phones with unlimited text, data, and calls. I now have T-Mobile Cell service with unlimited texts, calls, and data. T-Mobile paid off the balance of my phones. I have T-Mobile 5G Home Internet which is at 300 mps and I have YouTube TV. T-Mobile pays for my Netflix and gave me Paramount+ and Apple TV for a year.
Comparing Costs With AT&T my TV and Internet service was just fine. It did everything I expected it to do which is connect to the Internet for email and browsing and let me stream movies. Cell phone coverage was fine and pretty much free from problems. For all of this I was paying $420/month.
After I switched to T-Mobile and YouTube TV I am now paying $260. $177 for T-Mobile Cell and Internet and $83 for YouTube which includes $14 for HBOMax. Total savings of $160/month.
Comparing Customer Service What is the difference? Customer service. When I call T-Mobile a person answers in about 2 minutes, takes my info, then forwards the info to someone who will solve my problem. They are local to Atlanta, Georgia and have been excellent the few times I needed them. With AT&T I once was on hold for over 3 hours and then they hung up on me, multiple times. This wasn’t a one time event, it was multiple times. It was the most frustrating, cussing, yelling experiences I ever had in my life. T-Mobile is just so much better.
Comparing Service T-Mobile has its issues as did AT&T. My service in Blanco Texas when I have a cabin is spotty, but adequate. There are a couple of dead zones in the area although I haven’t really noticed much. Internet service is much faster than AT&T and less expensive. YouTube TV provides all the channels I need, in fact way to many and even with the additional services of Netflix (paid for the T-Mobile) and HBOMax it is still very inexpensive. The user interface needs to improve but I am happy with them. I no longer have to rent AT&T equipment and handle an extra remote. YouTube TV requires only the TV remote and it syncs with my surround sound system automatically.
Bottom Line The bottom line is that I am saving $160 and I am getting better service and better customer service. What can possibly go wrong?
Posted by johncoby 
Bay Area Houston 