Adams and Reese Partner and Governmental Relations attorney Jeff Brooks served as a panelist for a CSFI (Coalition for Sustainable Flood Insurance) symposium on the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act, held Friday, June 13th at the Westin Canal Place in New Orleans. The symposium, sponsored by Greater New Orleans Inc., Adams and Reese and Jones Walker, featured David Miller, Associate Administrator at FEMA (NFIP Administrator), Senator Mary Landrieu, members of the Louisiana Congressional Delegation, and GNO, Inc.’s President and CEO Michael Hecht.
GNO, Inc. also announced that the Coalition for Sustainable Flood Insurance has officially been incorporated. CSFI is now seating its national Board of Directors and planning for an early fall in person meeting.
“Our purpose is twofold with the incorporation of the Coalition for Sustainable Flood Insurance: first, to ensure proper implementation of the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability, and then, to determine best long-term solution for flood insurance – reauthorization of NFIP in 2017, or an alternative,” said Michael Hecht, President and CEO of Greater New Orleans, Inc. and Chairman of the Board of the Coalition for Sustainable Flood Insurance. “We look forward to continuing to work with our Board, Congress, and FEMA to keep flood insurance affordable for America.”
Landrieu added: “We won the battle to stop draconian rate increases by Biggert-Waters, but our fight continues. We need to craft a sustainable flood insurance program that middle class families who live and work along our coast, bayous and rivers can live with, grow with and prosper with. I am thrilled by today’s announcement that the Coalition for Sustainable Flood Insurance will remain a strong and faithful partner with us in the fight for affordable flood insurance. Hard-working middle class families should not have to pay flood insurance rates based on inaccurate and flawed maps that fail to recognize the levees that have protected their communities for decades. That’s why I will lead the effort to reverse the President’s $11-million cut to FEMA’s program that corrects out-of-date and flawed maps. And next month, I will use the full power of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee to hold FEMA accountable for implementing this law correctly and efficiently and give Louisiana a seat at the table as we work toward building a stronger program.”