So last month the Harris County Department of Education Board unanimously approved to censure Trustee Eric Dick for lapses in ethical conduct including refusing to pay $40,000 in fines to the Texas Ethics Commission, refusing to honor a subpoena, providing false information to the TEC, providing false information under oath along other things stemming from an ethics complaint filed in 2019. You can read the detailed results of that investigation here.
A month later they reversed course and in lieu of censure Eric Dick promises to donate $40,000 to the educational foundation of Harris County Department of Education “to be used for the CASE debates program for future lawyers.”. Elizabeth Sander of the Houston Chronicle wrote a detailed article about Dick’s ethical problems with the Texas Ethics Commission, the Harris County and Galveston County courts, and for possibly illegally soliciting clients affected by the Maui wildfires. The proposed censure was based only on his conduct concerning the Texas Ethics Commission. According to the article:
“In lieu of a censure, the Harris County Department of Education accepted a $40,000 donation,” Cobarruvias said. “But he still owes the taxpayers and the Ethics Commission $40,000.”
I highly recommend that HCDE cash his check as soon as possible.
Sixteen years ago States along the coast began implementing a plan called Fortified, including Alabama. According to an article written by Megan Kimble of the Houston Chronicle: “Alabama offers $10,000 grants to homeowners to upgrade their roofs – and requires insurers to give discounts of 25% to 55% to those who do”. That program started 16 years ago!! What the hell did elected officials in Texas do?
Nothing. Not a goddamn thing and now we are paying for it. Literally. We are now in crisis mode with premiums out the roof, excessive deductibles, and companies threatening to leave the Sate. In the upcoming legislative session bills will be filed to protect the insurance industry at our expense. While other States were actively working to lower the risk our elected officials did nothing to protect our homes. This article is another in her series concerning home insurance. It’s a VERY good read. I should be available to read here. It might make you mad. Let me summarize:
While other states on the coast, like Alabama, took action 15 years ago to reduce the risk to homeowners, Texas did nothing, at all, except pass the cost of the risk to consumers.
Other states give incentives to homeowners to “fortify” their homes and requires reduced insurance premiums.
A bill has been filed in Texas to create a program similar to Alabama’s “Fortified” but does NOT require a reduction in premiums
Of the country’s 70,000 Fortified homes, only 200 are in Texas and half of those were built by Habitat for Humanity.
While Texas officials were busy cutting regulations and chasing social issues we were left to find our own insurance solutions.
I love this quote “Home builders along the coast say they already follow stringent building standards and don’t need more.”
“In coastal Alabama and North Carolina – both states that incentivize Fortified standards – researchers say homes certified through the program have shown a 20% reduction in losses compared to non-Fortified homes.”
Alabama offers $10,000 grants to homeowners to upgrade their roofs – and requires insurers to give discounts of 25% to 55% to those who do. That program started 16 years ago!!
So take some time to read the article then make plans to attend our next meeting.
As said before the rising cost of property insurance is affecting everyone in the Bay Area, including taxpayers. According to an open records request CCISD’s property insurance doubled in just five years from 2019-2024. In 2019 CCISD’s property and flood was $3.3M. In 2024 it was $6.6M. This is not solely due to inflation. There is much more to this increase than inflation.
Everyone is paying for the rising cost of insurance including homeowners, businesses, government entities and taxpayers. Come join us next year to have a discussion with elected officials.
As a supporter of Whitmire for Houston Mayor it is very disturbing that instead of working across the aisle and bringing the city together he has opted to act much like out going District Attorney Kim Ogg, petty, childish, and unprofessional.
Whitmire has had an ongoing feud with Judge Lina Hidalgo. I am sure, based upon Hidalgo’s past, she has some fault to this toxic relationship but this latest stupidity is all on Whitmire. During an interview with the Houston Chronicle he stated:
“She’s fixing to announce that she’s not going to run,” Whitmire told The Chronicle. “She’s not enjoying her work. And she’s happy now. I saw on social media she got back this weekend from her wedding destination,” “But let me tell you what, this is a tough job at any level. You definitely lose your privacy. She’s obviously documented some of her emotional issues, which, this is a terrible profession to be in if you’re struggling with pressure.”
None of that is true. Much like a high school freshman on the cheerleading squad of the Jr varsity football team Whitmire can’t seem to miss an opportunity to spread unfounded rumors or spread gossip whether it is against Hidalgo or Controller Hollins. Seriously dude, it is time to learn when to keep your fuckin mouth shut and grow up. You are a grown ass man for fuck sakes.
You only have 3 years left in office. Grow up and focus on more important things such as picking up our trash on time. For once.
In 1971 Texas created the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA). It was advertised as the insurance of last resort covering those in the coastal areas who could not find insurance from the private sector. In 1995 Texas created the Texas Fair Plan Association (TFPA). It was advertised as the insurance of last resort covering those in the under served areas who could not find insurance from the private sector. Sound familiar?
Up until 2003 TWIA was providing service to a small number of property owners. Now it isn’t the last resort. It’s almost the only resort. Private insurance companies have fled the coastal areas leaving most owners to seek coverage from TWIA. I have little knowledge of TWIA, except that they are a non-profit organization and sell policies just like the private sector. TWIA issues detailed yearly assessments of their policies and financial situation. They are transparent to the public. When they ask for a 10% increase in rates they can prove it with data, data that is publicly available.
When did you ever see your insurance company justify their 25% increase or the reason why they will not renew your policy? As with TWIA I know little about the Texas Fair Plan except that they are managed by TWIA and like TWIA they are the insurance of last resort. They are also transparent and a non-profit. I think homeowners in the Clear Lake area should read the articles about the TFPA because it may become the last resort. 5 of the 6 largest insurance companies in Texas that make up the Texans for Affordable Insurance Solutions (TCAIS) will no longer write policies in the Clear Lake area.
Maybe it is time for all insurance companies to leave the state and let the non-profits provide service.
This was our second visit to Cabo. On our first visit we stayed at Casa Dorada, a beautiful place, walking distance to everything. This year we were at Villa del Palmar, a bit further down the beach but also a beautiful place.
The people. They are just wonderful. Most speak fluent English and are willing to help with restaurant recommendations etc.
The money. According to Mexican law, bills that are marked, written on, or torn will not be accepted. Your bank at home might have a problem finding unmarked small bills. Just be aware of this.
Timeshare pitch. Just don’t do it unless you are interested in a timeshare. They will entice you with passes for all inclusive benefits, cash, and a day at the spa. It’s just not worth spending 4 hours in a high pressure sales.
The airport gauntlet. Once you get past customs you will have to walk through “the gauntlet”. People will be offering you transportation to your hotel, tours, rental cars and more. Just keep walking till you are outside. If you have transportation already arranged they might claim they are the company. Don’t fall for it. Just keep going until you are outside.
Transportation. There are a number of choices available including shuttles, private shuttles, and even Uber. Our private shuttle was $160 round trip. The driver had tequila, water, and cold beer for the trip and took us to the local Walmart for groceries. Just an FYI. Uber will drop you off at the front of the hotel but may not be able to pick you up at the same place. We had a very short walk to the gate to pick up our Uber when we went to the city. The rates were very reasonable!
Airport drinks. Right out of the airport are a number of vendors selling $11 beers and $20 margaritas. Seriously it’s like buying beer at an Astros game.
Villa Del Palmar. Like most condos on the beach it was gorgeous. Very well kept properties. It’s not a place for the 20-30 year olds. It’s a bit more relaxed with few kids. People tend to wake up early to reserve chairs and umbrellas on the beach and at the pool. There’s never enough umbrellas. Most of these condos have a small convenient store that has everything you need for the week including food, liquor, beer, etc. Our trip to Walmart was unnecessary. We rented a cabana and negotiated a good price on the all inclusive deal for the day. We enjoyed the day!
Beaches. Some of the beaches in Cabo are not swimmable due to the rough waters. You can swim at Villa Del Palmar and the hotels on Medano Beach. Our beach had a rope line to keep the vendors away. There are vendors everywhere selling t-shirts, jewelry, wood carvings, and more. Their prices are negotiable. Just ask for “a deal”.
Activities. We didn’t have much luck with fishing. My suggestion is to find someone who has a guide they have successfully used a number of times. I have a guide here in Galveston I use. I would recommend him in a heartbeat. There are a number of guides available with various size boats and prices. Our trip turned out to be a great boat ride in beautiful weather.
Snorkeling was also fun. The trips we have gone on included lunch and drinks and another great boat ride. There are a lot of options. We booked ours through Viator. If you go to the dock area there are vendors everywhere. Personally I would go through Viator.
There are lots of activities to choose from including fishing, snorkeling, whale watching, and taxis to the Love and Hate beach. The Love beach is calm and swimmable. Just a short walk on the other side is the Hate beach which is very dangerous due to the riptide.
Cabo is a beautiful place to visit. Do it sometime!
The articles by Houston Chronicle reporter, Megan Kimble, concerning the rising cost of home insurance are lengthy yet highly informative reads. If you can access the articles, take some time to read them. Here are my thoughts on the article:
Elected officials are not immune from increases. Senator Tan Parker out of the Dallas area says he was dropped by his company and is now paying three times as much for his insurance. State Rep. John Smithee, an Amarillo Republican had his premiums raised by 40% last year. He authored the insurance bills of 2003. Our own State Representative had his roof replaced last month. I am sure he has felt the pinch.
Our elected officials are missing in action. Where are our State officials? Our Representative, Dennis Paul, sits on the Insurance Committee. Where has he been? In office for 10 years he has NEVER convened a town hall meeting to address the issues of the community. We are now in crisis mode and he has still refused to respond to his constituents except for form letter responses if even that. The same can be said about our State Senator Mayes Middleton. Both have been asked to address the community at our Jan 7th meeting.
Climate Change. For decades the industry and elected officials have denied climate change but are now claiming that is the main factor in the rising cost of insurance. So they did nothing over the last 20 years to minimize the risk due to climate change and are now passing the consequences on to us.
Rates vs Premiums. This wasn’t specifically discussed in the articles but realize rates and the cost to rebuild determines your premium. So when the Texas Department of Insurance says that rates only went up by 21% over the last few years that might be true but the cost to rebuild has skyrocketed as has your premiums. Case in point USAA based the cost to rebuild my home at $645,000 driving my premium up over $15,000. Your deductible is also based upon a percentage of the cost to rebuild.
The Texas Coalition for Affordable Insurance Solutions. They are quoted in the article. They are a lobbyist group funded by the top 6 insurance companies in Texas. Over the last 20 years they have done NOTHING to find solutions for affordability. I have written about them here. The same lobbyist quoted in the article was the same one leading the fight to reform insurance back in 2023.
Lowering the risk and damage. Other states have been proactive in addressing the issue by encouraging better storm resistant products for homes and roofs. They have created incentives for homeowners to use these products. Texas has done nothing over the last 20 years. Even our HOAs can refused the use of these products and the State will do nothing to stop them from enforcing it. There are hail resistant roofs available, even metal ones, and water cut off valves that could detect a leak and prevent damages to a home due to busted pipes. The industry along with our elected officials are finally discussing these possible solutions, 20 years too late. There have been fills filed to address this issue but the Republic Party in the Senate killed them.
Inflation. Yes some of the increases can be attributed to inflation but it is NOT responsible for a 50% increase or a 100% increase. This, along with climate change, are a great excuses to justify dropping your coverage or over charging. Inflation is now under 3%.
Surge Pricing. This wasn’t discussed in the articles but it is real. Why does a roof cost $30,000 when it usually would cost just $8,000? In 2008 after hurricane Ike bids for a new roof ranged from $10,000-$15,000. I had my roof replace two years later for $4800. This year after a hail storm bids were coming in at $23,000 for the cheapest roof. My roofer eventually quoted $24,000. This needs to be addressed.
In the words of Dick Cheney, go fuck your hypocritical self.
What kind of moron can you be? Seriously. Biden was convicted of falsifying a government document. Most of the time that is NEVER brought to a jury. NEVER. Case in point Galveston County Sheriff elect Jimmy Fullen who also falsified government documents when applying for the Sheriff position. No one brought charges against him even though it was so bad the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement recommended removing his license.
And yet you fucking whiny little bitches voted for him! And don’t forget you crying, fucking, babies voted for a convicted, porn fucking, felon to be President! And you are now clutching your pearls when it comes to Hunter Biden? Are you a fucking idiot? (yes you are) Oh and pray tell where the fuck were you when Trump pardoned former Bay Area Congressman Steve Stockman? In 2017 Stockman was convicted on 23 out of 24 charges concerning an elaborate scheme to steal money from donations and a charity. It was so bad his own staff testified against him. He was sentenced to 10 years in jail. And your lord and savior Jesus Trump pardoned his ass.
And come Jan 20, 2025 your god of hypocrisy will pardon over 1000 jan 6 rioters include those who were convicted of seditious conspiracy and serving over 20 years in federal prison. None of them falsified a government document. Some of them beat the life out of police, took a dump on the floor of the capitol, chanted Hang Mike Pence. They are all going to be released into the public.
All the while you are clutching your fucking pearls outraged by Hunter Biden. Do us a favor and just shut the living fuck up.
I have secured the Webster Activity Center on Jan 7, 2025 for another community meeting to discuss and take action concerning the rising cost of home insurance in our area. We will focus on the upcoming legislative session and how we can take the opportunity to influence our elected officials. For those who are not aware this session begins Jan 14 and will continue til June 2.
Our elected officials have been invited to attend and discuss what we can do. Please save the date, invite your neighbors, and I will see you after the holidays.
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Thank you for staying engaged. As of today we have almost 700 individuals who have signed up for for our newsletter. I am now expanding this activity to statewide. Please spread the word and invite your friends to join this list at tinyurl.com/BayAreaHouston. Also you can post this information on your social media platforms including Facebook and Nextdoor.
Anchor Baby Vivek Ramaswamy and South African mother***er Elon Musk have their sights set on the next boogie man, Federal Employees, and they are easy pickings. Ramasway/Musk are going to run the Department of privatizing the shit out of everything because the private section can do things better and cheaper. (LOL) That’s not really true but who really gives two fucks about the truth now a days. These guys have an audience, one that will believe anything they are told. Anything. So this is how they will demonize the Federal workforce.
Federal employees are over paid. This isn’t true but it is an easy concept to make MAGAts foam at the mouth. Federal employees are paid on a schedule. They do have some good benefits such as being able to invest in a 401K with matching funds and good health care benefits (they are not free). This compensates for their relatively low pay compared to the private sector.
Federal employees are lazy. The private sector can do their jobs faster, cheaper, and better. This is sort of true since the private sector can treat their employees like crap, work them to death, and provide few if any benefits. Feds are not profit motivated. In the space industry that is pretty damn important. The private sector is profit motivated and will do anything, including cutting corners, to make money.
Federal Employees get benefits for life. Again, not true but who cares? Health care benefits carry over for retired feds but they continue to pay for them. They are NOT free. They get a small pension, not a salary for life. They get social security because they paid for the benefits and they can invest in a 401k just like everyone else can.
You can’t fire federal employees. Again simply not true. The Feds invest in employees and work to retain them. This is a myth that will be perpetuated throughout this process.
Federal employees are taking your money! Yep that is an easy one. They are the boogey men of 2024. The other ones, except for Mexicans, have run their course including the Gays, teachers, police, Muslims, Asian Americans, African Americans, etc etc etc.
BOO Mutherfuckers! BOO! Direct your hate towards federal employees now!
Posted by johncoby 
Bay Area Houston 