The 2006 General Election brought several tough races for TAIFA members seeking a place in the 80th Texas Legislature. In the weeks leading up to the election, eleven races were declared “too close to call” by Austin politicos. Of those eleven races, four involved TAIFA members.

Three TAIFA members won their House races, including Rep. David Farabee, Wichita Falls, Rep. Joe Driver, Garland, and Rep. Kirk England, Grand Prairie. Another TAIFA member, Senator Tommy Williams, The Woodlands, was not on the ballot this year. Williams was elected to a four year term two years ago.

In narrow defeats, TAIFA members Gene Seaman and Jim Landtroop lost their respective races. Seaman, a ten year veteran of the Texas Legislature and fifty year member of TAIFA, was defeated by Democrat Juan Garcia. As of Wednesday morning, Seaman held on to a 24 vote lead as a final tally of votes from a precinct in San Patricio County was awaited. Late Wednesday afternoon, the Corpus Christi Caller Times confirmed that Juan Garcia had obtained the necessary votes to unseat Representative Seaman.

In the Texas Panhandle city of Plainview, Jim Landtroop, a State Farm agent seeking his first term in the Texas Legislature, was defeated by a margin of 193 votes by his opponent Joe Heflin. Heflin will take over the District 85 seat left vacant by Democrat Pete Laney.

With the November 7 general election now completed, pre-filing of bills begins Monday November 13. Visit TAIFA’s website for up to the minute news updates on bills filed and other developments of the 80th Texas Legislature.

In a message to Texas IFAPAC investors, PAC Treasurer Des Taylor reported contributions in this election cycle of $54,000, including $12,500 to statewide candidates/officeholders, and $41,500 to House and Senate Candidates/officeholders.

Additionally, $101,831 was sent from Texas to National IFAPAC. National IFAPAC provides support to candidates in federal elections including members of the Texas Congressional delegation. Taylor said that Texas IFAPAC will be making additional contributions to several statewide candidates, State Senators (or newly elected Senators) and persons who were re-elected or newly elected to the Texas House, in the coming days.

Of the money disbursed by Texas IFAPAC, 90% was given to winning candidates. “I am confident that we have developed relationships with legislators throughout the state, and opened doors for further involvement that would simply be impossible without PAC dollars,” Taylor said. He added, “Our great record for supporting winning candidates is a testament to the involvement and feedback we receive from our members in directing funds from the PAC.”

Calling all TAIFA Members! With the members of the 80th Texas Legislature now revealed, it is time for TAIFA members to commit to developing relationships with legislators in their districts. Registration is now open to be included in the Key Contact program for the state of Texas.

An ideal Key Contact is someone who cares deeply about protecting the interests of insurance agents and financial advisors in the state of Texas. They are open to the idea of calling upon their legislators both in their home district and in Austin to discuss important issues that arise during the legislative session. Also, during election cycles, Key Contacts can be called upon to deliver campaign contributions to candidates.

Click here to register as a TAIFA Key Contact Online

Click here to download a printed TAIFA Key Contact Registration Form.

The TAIFA Board of Directors met in Austin October 11-12 to review the first quarter of FY 2006-2007, while planning for the remainder of the year. Among the issues addressed and discussed by the board were:

• Endorsement of the candidacy of Tom Currey for NAIFA Secretary at the NAIFA Convention in September 2007.

• Receipt of the TAIFA financial audit by accountant John Cantwell. In his report, Cantwell offered some guidance for improved financial protections while also reporting an increase of $ 80,000 in TAIFA’s net assets from the prior year.

• Receipt of a report from TAIFA Treasurer Randy Robertson, LUTCF, which reflected conservative spending in the first quarter of the financial year.

• Discussion on proposed legislation for a life- only license in Texas. The Board of Directors determined to monitor the issue of a life only license pending a review of any legislation that may be filed.

• A review of the current activities of Texas IFAPAC including contributions to Texas statewide candidates and candidates for the Texas House and Senate.

• A review of January 23, 2007 Legislative Day events including meetings at the Capitol and a noon luncheon saluting the 80th Texas Legislature at the UT Alumni Center. Several local associations are planning to charter buses into Austin on the 23rd.

• Discussion of the Regional Director vacancy in Region 7 with a resolution to receive nominations from the Waco, Heart of Texas, and Central Texas associations.

• Preview of NAIFA Advocacy at Work DVD, to be forwarded to all local associations for viewing at upcoming meetings.

• Receipt of the TAIFA communications report, which highlighted updates to the TAIFA website (PAC Contributors listing, Online Bookstore, E- Newsletter, etc.).

• Receipt of a report by NAIFA Trustee Tom Currey, who announced his plans to seek the position of NAIFA Secretary at the national convention in September 2007. His candidacy was endorsed by the TAIFA Board of Directors.

• Discussion on the formation of a past presidents' committee, to be led by Mark R. Warren, LUTCF. Warren reported that the past presidents wish to stay abreast of TAIFA issues and participate in the annual business meeting, as well as to help secure non-dues revenue.

The Board of Directors will meet again on January 22, 2007 in conjunction with the January 23 Legislative Day

On October 17, Commissioner Mike Geeslin of the Texas Department of Insurance met with members of NAIFA-San Angelo at Brentwood Country Club.

Among those in attendance were TAIFA members from San Angelo, Abilene, Midland, Eagle Pass, and Junction, in addition to TAIFA President Tim Provence, CEO Des Taylor, and Regional Directors Cylinda Clark, Doug Massey, and Lane Boozer.

In his address to the group, the Commissioner gave a recap of insurance strides made after last year's hurricanes and gave his opinion on the power of the consumer when it comes to insurance rates. He also offered an overview of the department's role in overseeing worker's compensation and other changes brought about in the 79th Texas Legislature.

Commissioner Geeslin was appointed to lead the Texas Department of Insurance by Governor Rick Perry on July 7, 2005. Previously, Geeslin served as deputy commissioner for policy at the Texas Department of Insurance. During that time, he oversaw and coordinated implementation of major insurance reforms directed by the legislature in 2003. Prior to his service at the insurance department, he was a budget and policy advisor on insurance and regulatory matters to Governor Rick Perry in both the governor's office and lieutenant governor's office. He also worked as chief of staff for state Sen. Tom Haywood, as a legislative aide to Sen. Florence Shapiro, and as an assistant to Congressman Joe Barton.

On September 14, 2006, OC Jackson accepted TAIFA's highest honor, the Lifetime Achievement Award. In a ceremony held in conjunction with NAIFA-Dallas' monthly meeting, Mr. Jackson was surrounded by friends and loved ones to honor his contribution to insurance and financial advisors over his many years of service.

Among those present to honor Mr. Jackson were TAIFA President Tim Provence, Immediate-Past President Mark Warren, and past winners of the award including Bob Ehlers, Ken Tooley, Dean Davis, and Oscar Newton.

Some of Mr. Jackson's achievements during his membership in TALU/TAIFA include:

Past-President of the Dallas Association of Life Underwriters
Past-President of Texas Association of Life Underwriters
Member of the Texas Leaders Round Table for 43 years
Recipient of the Lifetime Award from TLRT
Advisor of the Year – DALU
Hall of fame of the Year – DALU
Lifetime Member of the Million Dollar Round Table

TAIFA Regional Director Cylinda Clark, who accepted the award on Mr. Jackson's behalf at the TAIFA Annual Convention in July, was on hand to honor him with fond memories and praise for the legacy he has forged through his years of membership.