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Press Release March 2, 2000 |
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The Texas State Conference of NAACP Branches, the National
Council of La Raza, Common Cause Texas, and Consumers Union filed an
amicus brief with the Texas Supreme Court in January urging the court
to reject insurance companies' efforts to keep critical insurance
redlining data closed from the public. The groups argued that
openness is critical to assuring government accountability and in
addressing insurance redlining, which has plagued low-income and
minority communities in Texas.
Statement of Rob Schneider, Consumers Union:
"Today's landmark decision by the Texas Supreme Court represents a
victory for Texans on several fronts. The Court's decision reaffirms
the Texas Public Information Act's purpose to keep government open
and accountable. It supports the public's right to oversight of state
agencies and regulated industries.
With this decision the Court has taken a clear stand against
insurance redlining in Texas. We applaud its courage in resisting
the insurance companies' efforts to close insurance redlining data to
the public. Releasing the data in the case will allow the public to
determine whether insurance companies are unfairly denying insurance
in Texas communities. Study after study has found that some
insurance companies engage in 'redlining' - denying low-income and
minority areas of our state insurance coverage. Exposing this
practice to the light of day is a critical step in ending the
practice.
We believe the Court's decision is a breakthrough for openness in
government and fairness for insurance."
Statement of Gary Bledsoe, Texas NAACP:
"The Texas NAACP applauds the decision of the Texas Supreme Court
today where it upholds a history of law supporting the concept that
the people are the watchdogs of the Government. A contrary decision
today would have severely undermined the rights of Texans to act in
this capacity, and compromised our fundamental right to know. We
hope the Court will look favorably on evidence of insurance redlining
when it comes before them."
