Declarations – Midwest

Safe, Except for …

“It is like any other product. With proper use and education, they are very, very safe, actually. … Unfortunately, some people don’t read the instructions.”

–Mike Collar, the president of Winco Fireworks Inc. in Prairie Village, Kan., says critics of sky lanterns, which his company makes, are overreacting. Some municipalities in Kansas and Missouri are trying to ban the use of the lanterns, which are popular for holidays and celebrations. Collar said the lanterns stay aloft until the flames burn out and all the hot air has escaped. Critics say the open flames in the lanterns could be dangerous if they land on combustible material.

Healthcare Challenge

“This challenging environment increases the pressure on health care providers to seek the most appropriate and cost-effective insurance programs.”

–Dominic Colaizzo, chairman of Aon Risk Solutions’ Health Care Practice, commenting on an annual industry study by Aon Risk Solutions that shows among other challenges, hospital risk managers are grappling with greater physician integration and changes in state legislation that influence professional liability costs.

Independent Dynamic

“This is great news for the independent agency system and reflects a stable and growing distribution system that remained resilient during the recent economy challenges.”

–Robert Rusbuldt, Big “I” president and CEO, commenting on a 2012 Agency Universe Study that shows the number of independent insurance agencies has increased, newer agencies are growing and the system as a whole is dynamic.

Inconsistent Standards

“Across Wisconsin there are inconsistent standards, or sometimes none at all, for the collection of weapons owned by domestic abusers.”

–Wisconsin Sen. Lena Taylor, responds to a fatal shooting rampage in which a man shot and killed his wife and two others, and injured four more, at a suburban Milwaukee spa where his wife worked. Radcliffe Haughton shot the women with a handgun he bought two days after his wife obtained a restraining order against him. Sen. Taylor and Rep. Penny Bernard Schaber are pushing legislation to tighten the enforcement of gun rules in domestic violence cases.