"Following up on Streetsblog's reporting last week, several scribes pressed Hochul on the multi-million-dollar lobbying campaign led by the Uber-backed Astroturf group Citizens for Affordable Rates. Hochul tried to make the case that fraud is out of control, but reporters in the Red Room asked her why New Yorkers should trust that she wasn't just working on behalf of Big Car."
"The Uber-led group has spent $8 million so far this year on the push. And the latest state Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government filings show that Allstate, State Farm, Progressive, Travelers and GEICO have spent another $95,000 on auto insurance lobbying this year."
"The cash drops have paid off, and Hochul herself has deployed state resources to produce social media videos, mobilized the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to stump with her, and held numerous press conferences across the state to advertise her cause."
Governor Hochul advocated for auto insurance deregulation in Albany, citing fraud concerns as justification. However, Capitol press corps questioned whether her agenda primarily benefited Big Tech and insurance companies rather than New Yorkers broadly. The Uber-backed group Citizens for Affordable Rates has spent $8 million on the lobbying campaign, while major insurers including Allstate, State Farm, Progressive, Travelers, and GEICO contributed an additional $95,000. Hochul deployed state resources including MTA support and social media videos to promote her position. The Trial Lawyers' Association countered with $135,000 in lobbying spending, creating an imbalanced political battle over insurance regulation.
#auto-insurance-deregulation #corporate-lobbying #political-influence #government-accountability #consumer-protection
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