Texas: Prop 12: More ethics problems for Repukes [View All]

[Ilsa]

http://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/editorials/stories/080803dnedinixon.146d5.html

Like so many Texas homeowners, state Rep. Joe Nixon, R-Houston, suffered mold damage to his home.

And like so many homeowners, his insurer, Farmers Insurance, questioned part of his claim. SNIP

So when Farmers realized that Mr. Nixon was also Rep. Nixon, and could cast votes in Austin, the company apparently coughed up $13,000 for damage that occurred during the mold cleanup. That's on top of a $300,000 payment for mold damage to the home. SNIP

The apparent smoking guns are internal Farmers' e-mails obtained by the Quorum Report, an Austin-based political newsletter with a reputation for smart political reporting. According to one e-mail, Farmers' Phoenix-based national mold manager in early April questioned a decision to pay Mr. Nixon's claim, which the manager deemed "a noncovered loss."

In an e-mail reply, another Farmers executive wrote that three high-ranking Farmers executives, including a company lobbyist, urged him to make the payment because they "wanted Mr. Nixon to be a friend of Farmers in the legislative session."

snip

Nixon has been a big supporter of Prop 12, to limit doctors' and insurers' liability, supporting it in the Legislature and debating in its favor on the road.

(Sorry about the edit; I accidentally added the post before it was ready.)