Insurance proposal raises concerns

Monday, February 18, 2008

By SEBASTIAN KITCHEN

Capital Bureau

MONTGOMERY -- The sponsor of two bills intended to help thousands of people on the Gulf Coast access affordable insurance said he is concerned about a "watered-down" proposal introduced by one of his colleagues in the Legislature.

State Sen. Ben Brooks, R-Mobile, said he has worked on the coastal insurance issue for more than a year and was never contacted about a bill introduced by Sen. Roger Bedford, D-Russellville. "It is not intended to distract from his bill in any way," Bedford said.

Brooks has said some insurance companies told him his bill is too far-reaching. Paul Hubbert, head of the powerful Alabama Education Association, has said he is concerned that Brooks' legislation could drain money from the already cash-strapped state education budget.

"This is a political bill driven by the special interests to protect the status quo," Brooks said of Bedford's bill.

Click here to read the full story from the Mobile Press-Register.