Obama Opposes Taylor's Wind Insurance Bill

Obama rejects federal wind insurance for hurricanes

The Obama administration has quietly told Congress that it "strongly opposes" federal wind insurance legislation — surprising a Mississippi lawmaker who lost his home to Hurricane Katrina and who's spent more than two years fighting for wind coverage.

A shell-shocked Rep. Gene Taylor, D-Miss., said he learned just a few days ago that Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Craig Fugate, the nominee to head the Federal Emergency Management Agency, had written lawmakers in opposition to Taylor's legislation.

"I'm obviously extremely disappointed," Taylor told McClatchy," that an administration that ran on 'change you can believe in' did this without taking the time to talk to us."

"I'm particularly angry that they're bailing out AIG, but when it comes to the excessive cost of wind coverage, they're not helping the people of coastal areas," he said. American International Group is one of the nation's largest insurers.

Taylor settled a lawsuit with State Farm Insurance over compensation for wind damage to his waterfront home, which the 2005 hurricane destroyed.

Taylor, however, isn't giving up, and wants to meet with Napolitano.

"I've just got to believe they're not in touch with coastal homeowners," he said. "This is the right thing we're pushing for."