Right Still Ignores Pain to Middle Class Homeowners from Flood Insurance Increases

Will Congress do the right thing on Biggert-Waters?
(Photo by Mark E. Ruquet)

By Mark E. Ruquet

With reform legislation pending before the House, one would think that even the right-wing proponents of Biggert-Waters Act would understand the harm it is doing to middle-class homeowners and offer some support for the changes. At the worst, if they feel the rollback reforms are inadequate, then one would think they would offer a plan to improve the bill and at the same time help the middle-class.

According to veteran Washington reporter Dave Postal, nothing could be further from the truth. He reports that the House leadership has heard its members concerns about re-election and has relented from their previous stand on not moving ahead on rolling back Biggert-Waters. A quick-vote -- which could mean moving the bill through the House by unanimous consent avoiding a voice vote -- may mean we could see a resolution of this by the end of next month. Since the House and Senate (S 1926)  passed different bills, it would mean the two bills will go to a conference committee to work out the differences.

However, be warned, passage by the House of bill H.R.3370 will not mean an immediate roll back of rates.

Unfortunately, Postal reports that some very influential right-leaning lobbying groups do not want to see Biggert-Waters repealed. That could still spell danger for the future of the rollback. One can never be certain what happens behind closed doors -- especially when a chummy lobbyist cozy-ups to a Congressman or
Senator.  

 

Global Warming Not a Friend of Skiers

From the NOAA Collection: Ten Signs of a Warming World

By Mark E. Ruquet

I was catching up on some reading today—as another snowstorm kept me indoors for most of the day. Someone mentioned this article in the New York Times and I thought I might as well catch-up on it as part of my reading. If you have not read it, you should. It is interesting. The author, Porter Fox, an editor at Powder magazine, writes about how climate scientists anticipate that by the end of this century there will be few ski resorts left, and those that remain will have shorter seasons.

The most interesting theory, Fox writes in his piece “The End of Snow,” comes from one researcher who theorizes that there will be only six cities left by the year 2100 cold enough to host the winter Olympics of the 19 that have held them. This assumes a global temperature rise of 7 degrees Fahrenheit by then.

If you are a global warming scoffer, consider the following.

The average temperature in the United States hit a record in 2012 at 55.3 F, 3.2 degrees higher than average and 1 degree above the previous record of 1998. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Climate Data Center has a wealth of information on this. One of the most eye-opening statistics is a graph I ran (you can run any of a series of statics to get an overall picture of U.S. and global temperature patterns) that clearly shows a pattern of increasing average temperatures, most dramatically since the mid-1990s (check the U.S. and global hyperlinks if you haven’t).

There are people still hell-bent on denying that global morning is a fact and that man-made activity is the cause. Because it is such a hot-button issue among some extremists, who invariably tend to make a lot of noise, many good people in the United States avoid using the term global warming. The reality is denying reality and doing nothing to ameliorate carbon gases is killing our environment and leaving a worse legacy for future generations than budget deficits.

Man Shoots Amish Family's Horse While on Buggy Ride

From a visit to Lancaster, Penn., in 2012.
Photo: Mark Ruquet

By Mark E. Ruqet

There are a lot of idiots in this world, but this one takes the cake. Someone want to start a collection for this family? Might be a little tough since they don't have phones or internet.

Read the Reuter's story: Pa. Man Charged in Amish Buggy Horse Shooting.

Rep. Grimm Says Vote Scheduled on Flood Insurance Bill

Rep. Michael Grimm, R-N.Y. speaking at a town-hall meeting
in Midland Beach, Staten Island, N.Y. in Oct. 2013

By Mark E. Ruquet

New York Congressman Michael Grimm says the House Leadership has paved the way for a vote on his flood bill that is co-sponsored by more than 180 representatives from both sides of the aisle. In a statement, Grimm says that his bill, unlike the Senate bill, will be retroactive through Oct. 1, 2013.

“I couldn’t be more proud to deliver on such an important national and local issue like fixing the skyrocketing premiums of the NFIP,” Rep. Grimm said in his statement. “Without this crucial legislation, many hardworking families in Staten Island, Brooklyn, and throughout the U.S. will be forced out of their homes, foreclosures will sharply rise, and closings will continue to be canceled, preventing the sale of many homes and ultimately devaluing the recovering, yet still fragile real estate market."

The bill, HR 3370, in addition to rolling back rates for four years, will establish a flood insurance advocate to work on the behalf of policyholders.

The only concern I have is that in his statement he says it is an amended version, but doesn't say what the amendment is. So what was amended?

Thanks to the Midland Beach Civic Association for getting this out there.

Cities to Meet with White House, Congress to Urge Delay in Increase to Flood Insurance Premiums

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today the National League of Cities (NLC) will join the Florida League of Cities, Florida Association of Counties and others to hold meetings with White House officials and members of Congress to urge a delay to the implementation of the Biggert-Waters Act to reform the National Flood Insurance Program. While the U.S. Senate voted overwhelmingly last week to postpone implementation of the act, cities call on the U.S. House and the Administration to support legislation to prevent rapid increases to flood insurance premiums for millions of Americans.

"America's cities applaud the efforts in Congress to help millions of homeowners facing dramatic increases in their flood insurance premiums," said Clarence Anthony, executive director, National League of Cities. "We look forward to meeting with members of Congress and Administration officials to communicate that more time is needed for FEMA to complete the affordability study mandated by the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act. I'm pleased to support the efforts of the Florida League of Cities, Florida Association of Counties and other municipal leagues across the country to make sure this issue is addressed by our federal partners and ensure that our cities' residents have access to affordable flood insurance."

"Federal legislation and decision-making can affect Florida's municipalities just as much, and in some cases even more, than state legislation," said Florida League of Cities President P.C. Wu, councilmember, Pensacola, Fla. "For example, issues regarding the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act and municipal financing have an impact in our cities. That's why the Federal Action Strike Team (FAST) committee was created to help the League to strengthen its federal relations. Working together with league staff and the National League of Cities gives Florida's cities a more effective and powerful voice in this new era of Federalism."

The National League of Cities (NLC) is dedicated to helping city leaders build better communities. NLC is a resource and advocate for 19,000 cities, towns and villages, representing more than 218 million Americans.

SOURCE National League of Cities

CONTACT: Tom Martin, National League of Cities, 202-626-3186, martin@nlc.org

Web Site: http://www.nlc.org 

Congressmen Make Error--What a Surprise.

I don't think there has been much confusion about this, but in case anyone is confused by what Congress did recently to flood insurance rates covered in the recently passed budget bill, a former colleague of mine offers a pretty good explanation.

What he writes is that two congressmen were mistaken in their description about a recently passed amendment. Read here.

Gov. Cuomo - Let's Get Business Done

New York State Gov. Andrew Cuomo addressing attendees of the inaugural Citizen Preparedness Program, praising State Sen. Lanza. Says its time to get the work done. Taken Feb. 1, 2014 at New Dorp High School, Staten Island, N.Y.

New York Citizens Prepare for Disaster

Citizen Preparedness Program Certificate of Completion
handed out Saturday in Staten Island, N.Y. 

By Mark E. Ruquet

Do you know what to do if another disaster strikes? Is there a bag ready to do with all your survival needs? Do you know how much you will need and what to bring? Where will the family meet? Do you know what the three types of potential disaster are?

Last Saturday officials with the state of New York gathered at New Dorp High School in Staten Island to launch the Citizen Preparedness Program—an effort to ready us in case another disaster should strike and we are once again cut-off from the security or our homes and our routines.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo dropped by for this inaugural event and emphasized in his comments that Staten Island was the appropriate location to kick-off this statewide program because the borough suffered so much from Superstorm Sandy.

The Staten Island Advance said that the governor expects to train 100,000 New Yorkers in emergency preparation. On Saturday, Cuomo said the aim of the preparedness program is to provide the foundation for a citizen army capable of first caring for themselves and their family in times of emergency and then helping their neighbors to survive the initial disaster and pull it back together.

“You learn what you can do and build back better than before,” he said.

He called the program a simple concept will make a difference in the future of everyone to “prepare, respond and recover.”

Cuomo noted that the need to be prepared is becoming increasingly apparent as changes in climate patterns are becoming more evident. He said this was not the time for debate over climate change, but the increasing number of severe weather events is a reality. While his father, Mario Cuomo, was governor, the elder statesman experienced only a handful of federal disaster declarations in New York, the governor said. Since he became governor, Cuomo said he has been through nine such declarations. The changes happening around us, no matter what the cause, cannot be ignored or controlled.

Saturday’s two-hour program was one hour of speeches from local representatives and Major General Patrick A. Murphy commander of the New York National Guard. The second hour, led by instructors from the Army National Guard, was devoted to citizen preparation and recovery.

The program will be an on-going effort. Anyone interested in additional information or in receiving emergency alerts can go to NY-ALERT.gov.  For information about planning for what you will need in an emergency go to Ready.gov and learn what the essentials are for your Go-Bag and be prepared to leave quickly at a moment’s notice. One item mentioned during the presentation, which is a departure from the usual advice, where Ready.gov tells people to have three days of food, water and medicine at the ready, New York officials are recommending 10 days, one of Superstorm Sandy’s lessons.

  

Is Safety Being Compromised

NOAA Emergency Alert Radio New York broadcast
has issues. Could in impact safety? 

By Mark E. Ruquet

Is a technical problem with NOAA Radio compromising the safety of New York City residents?

Last Saturday I attended the launch of New York State's Civilian Preparedness Training. A lot of good information and advice came out of it--and I plan to write a little something more about it later this week. However, one important early warning system mentioned during the session was the warning signal issued by the National Weather Service to radios equipped with weather alert. 

I have one of those radios, and I think it is great. Something everyone near the coast should have, especially when the weather is threatening. The Weather Channel and Accuweather are great tools, but nothing beats having the alarm and non-commercialized information.

However, if you're looking for the official forecast when there isn't an emergency, you will be hard pressed to find it outside of the Internet. The reason? Since last year, the New York City forecast has been silent except for emergencies because the radio signal interferes with the Coast Guard's Emergency Signal.

NOAA has a memo on its website explaining that despite the fact the two government services broadcast on separate frequencies that do not appear to be close to one another, there is interference. The Coast Guard broadcast is at 156.800 MHZ. NOAA's New York signal goes out on 162.550 MHZ. The memo is dated Dec. 15, 2013. When I check periodically, the broadcast still appear to be spotty (there was a broadcast early Tuesday morning).

NOAA says in its memo, "NOAA weather radio will be placed in operation to broadcast short fuse life threatening weather watches and warnings." There are broadcasts made as part of the Emergency Alert System. 

Many people may not be concerned with NOAA's weather radio operation--with easy access to information with TV, cell phone apps or computers. However, to be honest, there is nothing like the reliability of a good old portable radio. More people should have NOAA alert radios as part of their emergency preparedness kit; but we also need a reliable broadcast system.