NCFREE sponsored a COI Candidate Forum featuring Democratic candidates Wayne Goodwin and David Smith
COI Democratic Candidate Forum
Watch the video by clicking the links below:
Candidate Introductions
Question #1
"Overly burdensome or antiquated regulatory systems generally add to
the cost of doing business. Given that, how would you characterize the
state of the current insurance regulatory system in NC? What changes,
if any, would you propose?"
Question #2
"There is much discussion by presidential candidates about wanting to
make sure everyone in America has health insurance. What will you do if
elected to ensure North Carolinians have health insurance?"
Question #3
"Do you support mandating that all employers provide health care coverage to their employees?"
Question #4
"What can be done to help employers hold down the cost of providing health insurance to their employees?"
Question #5
"As we gear up for the 2008 Hurricane Season, what’s the state of our
coastal property insurance market? Could North Carolina end up like
Florida (with a real insurance market price and availability crisis) if
we get hit with a storm (or storms) this year?"
Question #6
"The cost of workers compensation insurance continues to increase for
business owners, both large and small. What will you do, if elected, to
help hold down these costs?"
Follow up...
Question #7
"The NC Academy of Trial Lawyers has made undoing North Carolina’s
contributory negligence standard a top legislative priority – given
that the tort laws are a significant factor in the price consumers must
pay for their insurance, do you support or oppose the Trial Lawyers
efforts?"
Question #8
"The entity that sets our statewide building codes, Building Code
Council, is housed in the Department of Insurance … key issues such as
requiring sprinklers in all residential structures, and higher
standards for wind-resistance in the coastal areas are two hot topics
this panel will being dealing with under your watch should you be
elected … what are your thoughts on these two issues, and are there
other issues the Building Code Council should address?"
Question #9
"To Mr. Goodwin: Today’s Charlotte Observer carries a story questioning
the timing of Commissioner Long’s last minute announcement of both his
retirement and the selection of you as his successor, quoting your
opponent saying, “Vladimir Putin got to choose his successor too,” said
Smith, adding, “if you are going to have a bargain, have a bargain ….
But own up to it.”
What do you say to voters who see that as a bit underhanded?"
Closing Remarks