Post office announces 2-cent rate increase

AP:
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The post office wants to increase the price of a stamp by 2 cents to 46 cents starting in January. The agency has been battered by massive losses and declining mail volume and faces a financial crisis.
http://dallasne.ws/9SWw6z

State Farm sues Texas over Web posting of its rate hike requests

State Farm takes legal exception to the Texas Department of Insurance's posting of rate hikes, other information. Stutz reports:

AUSTIN – An unprecedented move by the Texas Department of Insurance to publicize recent rate hikes by State Farm Insurance sparked a legal challenge from the company Tuesday over what it said was confidential information.

Joint statement from Representatives Coleman, Dunnam, Farrar, and Gallego on the State Farm lawsuit.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/29244143/Statement-on-State-Farms-Suit-Against-TDI

Democratic House members blame GOP leaders for rising insurance costs

Second State Farm rate hike in 7 months prompts letter. Hoppe reports:

Five leaders of the Texas House Democratic caucus signed a letter calling for an overhaul of state insurance regulation on the heels of State Farm's second homeowners rate hike in seven months.


The five believe the Texas Department of Insurance needs to be given the power to counter insurance companies that raise their premiums excessive and unjustifiable levels. Since 2003, insurance companies have operated under a file-and-use system, whereby they file their new rates and use them until the state determines if they're fair or not. If the state thinks they're excessive, it's supposed to order a rebate to consumers.