TEXAS LAWMAKER FINDS GOLD IN MOLD WHILE FILING TORT REFORMER BILL FOR INSURANCE LOBBY.
For those in America wondering if toxic mold is just hype based upon hysteria, the recent discovery of a Texas State Representative's $300,000 mold claim for his $365,000 home should have you convinced.
(PRWEB) August 15, 2003
HOUSTON TX. The following is an Op-Ed concerning Texas State Represenative Joe Nixon's $300,000 mold claim which he accepted while tort reformers and the insurance lobby was declaring mold was based on hysteria, not science. He later filed a massive tort reform bill on behalf of the tort reformers and the insurance industry.
The Op-Ed represents HADD's position on this issue.
During the summer of 2001 hundreds of homeowners across Texas testified
During the first ever toxic mold hearings in the nation. Many recalled
Months of strange rashes, nosebleeds, and upper respiratory illnesses and
Spending thousands of dollars for exploratory medical tests ranging from
Cancer to lupus. Some lost their memory. Others lost their homes. And others
Such as the insurance lobbyists, lawyers, and tort reformers claimed, "mold
Is gold", and mold claims were "frivolous" based upon hysteria not
Scientific facts.
And then there were those who stood watching homeowners in tears pleading
For help from consumer groups and the State Legislature, while they were
Quietly collecting their own share of the gold and conveniently ignoring the
Hysteria, and the claims of frivolity. Such is the case of State
Representative Joe Nixon (R) Houston.
In 2001 while hearings and legislation was being crafted to address mold
Claims, Rep Nixon received over $300,000 for his own mold claim. Like many
Mold victims, his life was disrupted while his family spent a year in a
Crowded apartment during his mold remediation. But unlike many victims, he
Kept silent about the dangers of toxic mold, the cost of remediation, the
Horrible stress upon the family, and the urgent need to address mold
Contamination.
Rep Nixon had an opportunity to address the Texas Department of Insurance
During one of many of historic mold hearings held across the state. His
Position, as a Texas Representative, would have validated the claims by
Other homeowners affected by mold contamination. His own experience of
Having his family life disrupted, his financial situation threatened, and
His emotions stretched to the end would have put a halt to the false claims
Of "hysteria", "frivolous" and "mold is gold".
But he didn't. Instead he stood silently collecting his pot of gold, while
Others were foreclosing and struggling to keep their children in good health
As well as struggling with their insurance companies.
Later in the 2003 Legislation Session, Rep Nixon sponsored the tort reform
Bill on behalf of the insurance industry and the tort reform groups. These
Were the same organizations that were claiming toxic mold was based upon
Hysteria and had driven up the cost of insurance forcing companies out of
Business. Members of these organizations testified at the mold hearings, and
Some were appointed to the Department of Insurance Mold Task Force. All
While Rep Nixon was collecting $300,000 on his own "legitimate" claim and
Crafting a far reaching tort reform bill, House Bill 4.
This hypocrisy is not limited to Rep Nixon. In 2001 the Texas Attorney
Generals Office in Lubbock was evacuated and remediated due to mold
Contamination at the owners expense. And in 1995 the Texas Governor Mansion,
Under then Governor George W. Bush, was remediated at a cost of $50,000 to
The taxpayer. So while Rep Nixon's family, current Governor Perry's family,
And the employees of Attorney General John Cornyn were safe from the hazards
Of toxic mold, hundreds of Texas families, looking for help from their
Leaders, were left, out in the mold.
Currently Rep. Nixon's mold claim is under investigation for on the criminal
Aspect of political payback, but the focus should also be on the moral
Aspect. How could an elected leader, in the State that invented the word
"compassion", stand idle, with his hands buried in the pot of gold, while
His people are in financial ruin, poor health, and pleading for help? How
Could Rep Nixon ignore the hearings and families who have been ravaged
Financially, physically, and mentally by mold contamination while he
Collects on his own claim and crafts legislation on behalf of those who
Provided his gold?
This lack of compassion, in itself, should be criminal.
