Springtime in DC
IIABA National Legislative Day
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S pringtime . Rain , green grass , wind , maturing wheat , hail , spring planting , a busy time in Kansas . And , as always , our KAIA annual trip to the National Legislative conference in Washington D . C .
I first visited D . C . on a rural electric cooperative trip as a junior in high school . Over the last two years , I ’ ve been able take my kids along with us and relive that “ first time ” through their eyes . Although frustrating to witness our plodding political processes , it ’ s still a tremendous historical education destination .
Why does KAIA make our annual pilgrimage to IIABA National Legislative Day ? Increasingly our livelihoods is dependent on our advocacy . As a state regulated industry , we find that the federal government continues to find inroads into our industry . Health insurance , flood insurance , and crop insurance are three cautionary tales as to what happens when the federal government becomes involved . It is important for us to continue to fight against FIO ( Federal Insurance Office ) and any further intrusion on federal insurance regulation .
As pressure continues to mount on tax reform and spending cuts , agent commission on flood
LYLE DAVIDSON KAIA President
insurance is the latest on the chopping block . After successfully cutting crop and health commissions , it was only a matter of time until any other federal commissions were scrutinized . As stand alone business owners , it ’ s imperative that KAIA is our combined voice against attacks on our livelihood and our clients ’ ability to receive informed advice .
Kansas is well positioned nationally to affect change . With Bob Fee serving on the IIABA National Executive Committee , Cindy Hower chairing the InVEST committee , Rick Elliott serving on the Big I Reinsurance Board , and myself on the National Crop Task Force , we have voices to make our state ’ s needs heard . Recently , our KAIA Crop Insurance Committee was given an opportunity to present written comments on several issues facing crop agents across the state . As we take the lead on attempting to promote positive change for agents , it ’ s imperative that our state continue to support KAIA and our InsurPac investments .
2 KANSAS INSURANCE AGENT & BROKER | May - June 2017 |