Watch out Steve – your nose is growing!
“As he campaigns to become California’s next governor, Republican Steve Poizner often proclaims that auto and homeowner insurance rates have fallen by $1.81 billion since he took over the state’s Department of Insurance in January 2007.,” according to the San Jose Mercury Bee.
Here are a few more excerpts from their shocking expose of mentiroso Poizner:
But one consumer group, which compiled statistics at the request of the Mercury News, argues that nearly half those reductions were the work of Poizner’s predecessor, Democrat John Garamendi.
And in the past year, many large insurers have actually raised rates after Poizner tweaked Garamendi’s rules to make them more flexible.
In addition, other claims Poizner has made on the stump — namely, that he’s cut his department’s operating expenses by nearly 15 percent and his staff by 200 employees — don’t add up as billed, according to a Mercury News analysis.
As he campaigns to become California’s next governor, Republican Steve Poizner often proclaims that auto and homeowner insurance rates have fallen by $1.81 billion since he took over the state’s Department of Insurance in January 2007.
But one consumer group, which compiled statistics at the request of the Mercury News, argues that nearly half those reductions were the work of Poizner’s predecessor, Democrat John Garamendi.
And in the past year, many large insurers have actually raised rates after Poizner tweaked Garamendi’s rules to make them more flexible.
In addition, other claims Poizner has made on the stump — namely, that he’s cut his department’s operating expenses by nearly 15 percent and his staff by 200 employees — don’t add up as billed, according to a Mercury News analysis.
Looks like Poizner is finished.
Just to be fair why don’t you add in this section of the referenced article???
Department officials who have worked for both Garamendi and Poizner say Poizner added some needed flexibility to Garamendi’s rules, which they contend were “rushed in” before he left office.
And they strongly disagree that Poizner has made it easier for insurers to raise rates.
“That’s not a true statement,” said Woody Girion, the deputy commissioner who says he was tasked with “cleaning up” Garamendi’s rules. The department’s actuaries “don’t let a company come in and cherry-pick. They hold their feet to the fire.”
To be sure, even diehard consumer advocates won’t label Poizner avidly pro-insurer. His senior staff has included insurance lobbyists and consumer advocates alike. In interviews, department insiders, lobbyists and watchdogs agreed Poizner has been both fair and collegial.
“Whenever he does something good, we’ve applauded him,” Rosenfield said. “Democrats and Republicans have one thing in common: They don’t want to be gouged by insurance companies.”
Indeed, many of Poizner’s efforts have won praise.
He’s cracked down on health insurers that illegally cancel sick patients’ policies. He’s worked to lower workers’ compensation rates, just last week refusing a 22.8 percent increase sought by insurers.
He’s also created a pay-as-you-drive auto insurance program. And the department has beefed up its fraud unit, piling up 1,900 arrests over 2007 and 2008.
“There are things we disagreed on,” said Sam Sorich, president of the Association of California Insurance Companies, which represents 300 insurers. “It’s not a walk in the park working with Commissioner Poizner.”
It sounds like to me, as the article mentions that he’s not as much lying as comparing oranges to tangerines. Just to make sure you know what an actual lie looks like…. I found a couple examples on youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiIP_KDQmXs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHVEDq6RVXc&NR=1&feature=fvwp