03_18_14

Julie Califf has fought a hard battle against rising flood insurance rates since setting up an information table at Brunswick’s Mary Ross Waterfront Park this past October. She created Stop FEMA Now Georgia, contacted state and federal legislators to argue... More

Julie Califf has fought a hard battle against rising flood insurance rates since setting up an information table at Brunswick’s Mary Ross Waterfront Park this past October. She created Stop FEMA Now Georgia, contacted state and federal legislators to argue against changes to the National Flood Insurance Program going into law and distributed countless updates and documents. Califf was one of thousands of homeowners in the nation to complain that a law Congress passed in 2012 to eliminate subsidies to the National Flood Insurance Program was raising premiums to unaffordable levels. In the end, their voices were heard. The U.S. Senate’s unexpected passage Thursday of House legislation to address problems with the National Flood Insurance Program has created waves of relief from property owners like Califf, who were facing huge rate increases. In a 72-22 vote, with both of Georgia’s Republican senators – Sens. Johnny Isakson and Saxby Chambliss – in favor, the Senate approved the Homeowner Less