WASHINGTON - Rep. Gene Taylor, D-Bay St. Louis, laid out a wide-ranging legislative plan today for the U.S. government to deal with disasters in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, hitting hard on the need to reform the insurance industry.

"Number one, we have to take the anti-trust exemption of the insurance industry away," said Taylor at a press conference on the Cannon House Office Building terrace. "No one should be above the law."

"Number two," continued Taylor as he released the report, Katrina and Beyond, "we have to have all-perils insurance." With private insurers saying hurricane damage was caused by water - which is covered by federal insurance - and not wind - which they cover - most claims, said Taylor, are being dismissed.

Taylor, who lost his home in Katrina, said his third priority was to have "some form of federal oversight." Insurers are regulated by the states and Taylor said one of his greatest frustrations as a congressman was to have constituents come up to him "with their policies and tears in their eyes and not be able to do anything."

The Democratic Congressional leadership-created Katrina Task Force, which was chaired by Taylor with Rep. Charlie Melancon, D-La., as the vice-chairman, to propose changes which the Democrats hope will become a blueprint for action, especially if the Democrats take back control of the House.

In fact, when Taylor started his remarks, he said "Speaker Pelosi" before correcting himself to refer to Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

Taylor focused on insurance - a central issue to his Mississippi constituency - but the recommendations propose radical changes in the federal response to emergencies.

The Task Force recommends FEMA's role be diminished by redirecting the responsibility to agencies directly responsible for housing, transportation, education and economic development. Other recommendations include rebuilding levees to withstand a Category 5 hurricane and a directive to re-equip National Guard units.

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By MARIA RECIO
SUN HERALD WASHINGTON BUREAU

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