Texas insurance regulators look to new commissioner for a fresh start
The happiest place in Austin these days is not Sixth Street, but a couple of blocks away, at the offices of the Texas Department of Insurance. Folks there have a new boss.
At an introductory staff meeting, an employee asked the new boss, “What should I call you?” The new Texas insurance commissioner replied, “Call me Julia.”
Julia Rathgeber, a key behind-the-scenes player in the Legislature for the past decade as a top aide to Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, is enjoying a honeymoon with TDI employees, the insurance industry and consumer advocates. She has spent four weeks on the job.
Her predecessor, Eleanor Kitzman, was the first insurance commissioner since the job was given to one person 20 years ago who lost it because of a lack of state Senate confirmation. Gov. Rick Perry appointed her two years ago, but when she failed in the job, he didn’t try to save her.
More at http://www.dallasnews.com/investigations/watchdog/20130622-the-watchdog-texas-insurance-regulators-look-to-new-commissioner-for-a-fresh-start.ece .
[font color=green]My opinion: The popularity of the insurance commissioner changes as the wind blows. Now that we are in the midst of hurricane season the honeymoon could end abruptly.
Some of the attitudes at the department employees also need to change (or the employees need to be removed) since they are oriented towards serving the insurance industry rather than consumers.[/font]