Rep. Brian Bankss' Site Feed

Detroit Democratic Caucus Announces Auto No-Fault Bills

Tue, 21 May 2013 11:38:00 -0400

Detroit Democratic Caucus Chairman Representative Thomas F. Stallworth III (D-Detroit), joined by Detroit Democratic Representatives Brian Banks (D-Harper Woods), Phil Cavanagh (D-Redford Township), Fred Durhal Jr. (D-Detroit), David Nathan (D-Detroit), Rose Mary Robinson (D-Detroit), Harvey Santana (D-Detroit), Alberta Tinsley-Talabi (D-Detroit), and Rashida H. Tlaib (D-Detroit) announced their own auto no-fault reform package that would save Michigan residents money while fighting fraud and demanding transparency from the insurance industry.

In the Community

Tue, 21 May 2013 10:18:58 -0400

Detroit Democratic Caucus Announces Auto No-Fault Bills

Tue, 21 May 2013 09:44:00 -0400

DETROIT - Detroit Democratic Caucus Chairman Representative Thomas F. Stallworth III (D-Detroit), joined by Detroit Democratic Representatives Brian Banks (D-Harper Woods), Phil Cavanagh (D-Redford Township), Fred Durhal Jr. (D-Detroit), David Nathan (D-Detroit), Rose Mary Robinson (D-Detroit), Harvey Santana (D-Detroit), Alberta Tinsley-Talabi (D-Detroit), and Rashida H. Tlaib (D-Detroit) announced their own auto no-fault reform package that would save Michigan residents money while fighting fraud and demanding transparency from the insurance industry. The legislators announced their legislative package at a Detroit press conference where they were joined by local church leaders and Detroit residents.

“Michigan’s auto insurance policies are completely broken,” said Stallworth. The fact that 30 percent of Michigan drivers and 60 percent of Detroit drivers are uninsured when combined with the fact that Michigan’s auto insurance industry is the second most profitable in the nation is a clear indication that rates are excessive.”

Detroiters pay some of the highest auto insurance rates in the nation.

The Detroit Democratic Auto No-Fault Package would:

Restructure the board with public interests instead of insurance interests. Create a commission to track fraud, waste and abuse. Collect the MCCA assessment at the Secretary of State instead of through insurance companies. (Cavanagh)
Require insurance companies to justify rate increases before they’re imposed on drivers and stipulate that 80 percent of premiums collected must be spent on clients. (Stallworth)
Prohibit the consideration of credit history, education and occupation in determining premiums and surcharges. (Tinsley-Talabi)
Allow refunds ordered by a commissioner and allow private parties to sue when auto insurance overcharges their policy holders. (Tlaib)
Disallow steerage to collision shop owned by the insurance company. (Banks)

The Republican-sponsored no-fault bill, which was recently voted out of committee with no Democratic votes, would offer a savings of $125 per vehicle that is only guaranteed for one year. That bill would also eliminate unlimited medical benefits for the most seriously injured accident victims and, instead, cap those benefits at $1 million. The Republican bill dissolves the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association (MCCA) after it has paid out its final claim, and creates the new Michigan Catastrophic Claims Corp (MCCC) to collect a fee from auto owners and handle new claims when the bill becomes law. The MCCA will still collect an annual fee from drivers to cover a $2 billion deficit they claim.

“Drivers are tired of paying high premium yet want to keep the benefits they are currently receiving from our auto no-fault system. Replacing the MCCA with the MCCC and capping everything for a guaranteed one-year savings of $125 is not helping anyone but the insurance companies,” said Cavanagh. “Gutting the system is not reform. We looked into every aspect included in a no-fault policy to see where real changes resulting in real savings could be made.”

“With the proposed changes to Michigan’s Auto No-Fault system affecting every driver in the state of Michigan, we looked at the entire picture to come up with reform that would result in actual savings without hacking up the system,” said Banks.

“The unfortunate situation, in many cases, is that a car insurance premium is often higher than the value of the car,” said Tlaib.” Making auto insurance more affordable throughout Michigan, but particularly in urban regions, should be one of the state’s top priorities.

The Detroit Democratic Caucus will also host an Auto No-Fault Reform Town Hall Meeting to discuss proposed changes to the system and how that will affect every driver tonight, Monday, May 20, from 6 to 8 p.m., at Salem Memorial Lutheran Church, 21230 Moross Road at Chester in Detroit.

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Auto No-Fault Insurance Town Hall

Fri, 17 May 2013 14:42:20 -0400

New proposed legislation would significantly alter Michiganâ��s current no-fault auto insurance system and would cap injury benefits at $1 million for accident victims. Research shows this cap would shift millions onto taxpayers. The bill also requires fee schedules to be applied to auto injury cases, which would cost Michigan hospital systems an average of $10 million annually. While these reforms will provide cost savings for insurance companies, the bill does nothing to require a reduction in costs for consumers after 2014. The town hall meeting will act as an educational forum and discussion about the impact this proposed legislation will have on Michigan drivers, auto accident victims and health care providers.

The town hall will take place on Monday, May 20, from 6-8 p.m. at the Salem Memorial Lutheran Church, 21230 Moross Road in Detroit.

Human Trafficking in Michigan

Thu, 16 May 2013 11:33:47 -0400

As a state representative, it’s my job to understand the issues that are affecting my district. Often, I am surprised and saddened by many of the underground problems that exist in Michigan. This was no exception when last month, Attorney General Bill Schuette testified before the House Criminal Justice Committee on an epidemic many Michiganders are unaware of: human trafficking.

There are an estimated 30 million enslaved victims around the world who are being forced to commit acts of sex, physical labor and countless other atrocities. Many of these people are young children. Just as in the antebellum days of the American South, people are being born, bought and sold into slavery.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, human trafficking is the second-largest criminal industry in the world, and it is quickly growing. The trafficking of humans only trails the illegal movement of drugs. Sadly, both of these criminal activities are prevalent within and surrounding the city of Detroit. I worry for residents who have been subjected to this horrific crime, and I will work to make sure the perpetrators are caught and victims are allowed to heal.

Michigan has had anti-trafficking laws on the books since 2006, when Public Act 162 added chapter 67(A) to the Michigan Penal Code. Since that time, the attorney general has secured the convictions of five human traffickers operating in Michigan. To date, there are four open cases in various stages of litigation. Of these convictions, one Detroit man was found guilty on eight counts of human trafficking, and four members of the trafficking ring “Detroit Pink” are currently serving sentences. Michigan lawmakers are not letting people get away with this tragic crime, and I will make sure it stays that way.

Since PA 162 was passed, Schuette has created the first Attorney General Human Trafficking Unit. This commission includes members of the Michigan Legislature, law enforcement officials and anti-trafficking activists. I will work with this commission to make sure human trafficking is eliminated from our city.

To report any suspicious activity, you can call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at (202) 745-1001, or text concerns to 233733. And as always, if you have any questions or concerns regarding this issue as related to state government, please call my office toll-free at (888) 254-5291.

Detroit Caucus Takes Auto No-Fault Discussion to Detroit Residents

Fri, 10 May 2013 16:21:03 -0400

DETROIT -Detroit Caucus Chairman Representative Thomas F. Stallworth III (D-Detroit), joined by Detroit representatives, heard concerns and took questions from residents on so-called auto no-fault “reform” legislation at a town hall meeting at the Northwest Activity Center in Detroit last night.

“Detroit auto owners pay some of the highest auto insurance rates in Michigan, and Gov. Rick Snyder’s proposed savings of $125 per car, which is only guaranteed for the first year, will do nothing to relieve Detroit residents from the astronomical rates they are currently paying for automobile insurance,” said Stallworth.

The Republican-introduced bill, which was recently voted out of the House Insurance Committee with no Democrats voting for the bill, would eventually dissolve the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association (MCCA) after that association has paid out its final claim. The bill creates the new Michigan Catastrophic Claims Corp. (MCCC) to handle new claims as soon as the bill is passed into law and takes effect. Although the MCCA will no longer exist, it will still be allowed to assess drivers their annual fee to cover their $2 billion deficit they now claim. Once the MCCA has taken care of its last recipient any money left in the fund does not return to drivers like stated but is transferred in the MCCC.

“The problem here is that no one really knows how much money the MCCA has or how much of a deficit it is running, if they even have a deficit, because its books are not open to the public,” said Rep. Phil Cavanagh (D-Redford). “The bill claims that the new MCCC will be transparent, subject to FOIA, the Open Meetings Act and that everything will be published on its website. That’s nice, but how can we even consider closing the MCCA without seeing the books for ourselves after having paid into the fund for more than 35 years?”

Under the bill, there would be a $1 million cap placed on personal injury protection insurance (PIP) coverage for policies issued or renewed after Dec. 31, 2013. There would also be new limits on rehabilitative care and new co-pay costs on those receiving attendant care. These changes would force catastrophically injured accident victims to try to qualify for Medicaid, which may not cover medical or rehabilitative care that is currently covered under no-fault. Victims would risk not receiving the care that they need to have a good quality of life.

“With the proposed changes to Michigan’s Auto No-Fault system affecting every driver in the state of Michigan it is important to look at the entire picture before we start hacking up the system,” said Rep. Brian Banks (D-Grosse Pointe Woods). “Voters have defeated two no-fault reform proposals at the ballot box already. Michigan residents have spoken clearly and told us to keep no-fault intact. We need to listen to them and find different ways to lower the cost of auto insurance premiums.”

The Detroit Caucus will host a second Auto No-Fault Reform Town Hall Meeting to discuss proposed changes to the system and how that will affect every driver on Monday, May 20, from 6 to 8 p.m., at Salem Memorial Lutheran Church, 21230 Moross Road at Chester in Detroit.

Detroit Caucus Hosts Auto No-Fault Town Hall to Discuss Harmful Changes Proposed in Republican Bill

Wed, 08 May 2013 16:43:08 -0400

DETROIT - Detroit Caucus Chairman Rep. Thomas F. Stallworth III and Detroit Caucus members Reps. Brian Banks (D- Grosse Pointe Woods), Phil Cavanagh (D-Redford), Fred Durhal Jr. (D-Detroit), David Nathan (D-Detroit), Harvey Santana (D-Detroit), Rose Mary Robinson (D-Detroit), Alberta Tinsley-Talabi (D-Detroit) and Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit) will hold a town hall on the proposed changes to Michigan’s auto no-fault law on Thursday, May 9, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Northwest Activity Center, 18100 Meyers at Curtis in Detroit. The proposed legislation would significantly alter Michigan’s current no-fault insurance system and would, among other changes, cap injury benefits at $1 million for accident victims. This event is free and open to the public.

WHO:Detroit Caucus Chairman Rep. Thomas F. Stallworth III and Detroit Caucus members Reps. Brian Banks (D-Grosse Pointe Woods), Phil Cavanagh (D-Redford), Fred Durhal Jr. (D-Detroit), David Nathan (D-Detroit), Harvey Santana (D-Detroit), Rose Mary Robinson (D-Detroit), Alberta Tinsley-Talabi (D-Detroit) and Rashida H. Tlaib (D-Detroit)

WHERE:Northwest Activity Center

18100 Meyers at Curtis

Detroit

WHEN:Thursday, May 9, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Banks to Hold Coffee Hours in April

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 11:25:00 -0400

GROSSE POINTE WOODS â�� State Representative Brian Banks (D-Grosse Pointe Woods) invites residents to join him for coffee hours to discuss their thoughts and ideas about improving state government.

Rep. Banks will host his monthly coffee hours on:

â�¢ Monday, April 15 from 6-7 p.m. at Harper Woods Public Library, 19601 Harper Ave., in Harper Woods

Rep. Banks encourages people to sign up for his e-newsletter, which will provide brief updates of his work at the Capitol and in the community. To sign up, interested individuals should visit www.banks.housedems.com. Residents can also reach Rep. Banks at his office at (517) 373-0154.