Texas coast leaders rally over windstorm insurance
State Rep. Hunter: ‘We are forming today what is called the Coastal Windstorm Task Force’
Corpus Christi Caller Times
By Rick Spruill
CORPUS CHRISTI — Local leaders from up and down the Texas Gulf coast and as far inland as Victoria Friday morning packed the City Council chambers at City Hall in a rally mixed with equal parts anger and optimism at what may happen with the state’s wind and hailstorm insurer of last resort for Coastal counties.
City, county and state-level officials, business leaders and political candidates attended the meeting that featured longtime local political leaders and members of the Coastal Bend delegation speaking to the standing room only crowd about why fighting rate increases and surcharges on coastal insurance policies is worthwhile and what can be done about it.
State Rep. Todd Hunter, who received a standing ovation from the crowd upon taking the floor, announced the creation of a coastal coalition to develop a legislative plan to take to Austin next session.
“It is time to take the ball and go on the offense,” he said. “We are forming today what is called the Coastal Windstorm Task Force.”
Hunter said the task force will work with business and governmental leaders from Galveston and other areas and will be led by Charlie Zahn, an attorney from Port Aransas.
The meeting follows weeks of controversy between Texas Department of Insurance Commissioner Eleanor Kitzman and her comments related to the financial solvency, exposure and the Texas Windstorm Association.
