VVA-CSC ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FOR PROPOSITION 33

[boardman]

VVA-CSC ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FOR PROPOSITION 33
The Vietnam Veterans of America-California State Council (VVA-CSC) today announced their endorsement of
Proposition 33, the 2012 Automobile Insurance Discount Act.

Proposition 33 will allow a driver to retain their continuous coverage discount even if they change insurance
carriers. Currently, California is one of only two states in the country that requires a driver to lose their
continuous coverage discount if they have shopped around and found a better rate with another carrier.
Current state law disadvantages active duty military members in California.
Proposition 33 is a straight forward measure only 1 page in length. Section 4 (b) (1) states that:
"Continuous coverage shall be deemed to exist if there is a lapse in coverage due to an insured’s active
military service"

Steve Mackey, President of VVA-CSC notes that “the provisions of Prop 33 pertaining to active military
personnel will enable young men and women transitioning from military to civilian life to qualify for better
rates. One of the VVA’s main missions is to help young veterans reintegrate into society as seamlessly as
possible. Vietnam veterans understand these difficulties because of the reintegration problems faced by
veterans from the Vietnam War.”

The VVA-CSC is the most recent veterans service organization to come out in support of Proposition 33. The
American Legion-Department of California, Veterans of Foreign Wars-Department of California, and the
American GI Forum also support this measure, which will appear on the November 2012 ballot as Proposition
33. The United Services Automobile Association (USAA), an insurance company founded by Army officers,
which now insures military members, veterans, and their eligible family members, is also in support of Prop 33.
Pete Conaty, retired U.S. Army, veterans advocate, and lobbyist for many California veterans groups believes
Prop 33 will help ease the burden on our young service members. “California has over 30,000 young men and
women discharging from the military into California each year. We as a state need to do all we can to assist
them in pursuing the jobs, careers, and families that they put on hold in order to serve their country.”
Prop 33 is sponsored by George Joseph, founder of Mercury Insurance. Joseph enlisted in the Army before
World War II. He participated in some 50 missions as a B-17 navigator during World War II. Joseph has been
active in promoting initiatives against the current state laws that have lead to restrictions on competition by
insurance carriers.

[boardman]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:
September 13, 2012
Rachel Hooper
916-448-3444 916-708-1868
Rachel@MarketplaceCommunications.com

CONSUMER WATCHDOG SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES

Evoking the Tragedy in Libya in Initiative Debate is Beyond Even their Bounds of Decency

Sacramento, CA -- Proposition 33, an initiative supported by every major veterans group in California, is running the following radio ad:
“PROPOSITION 33 PROTECTS OUR VETERANS AND MILITARY FAMILIES, AND ALLOWS THEM TO KEEP THEIR DISCOUNT ON CAR INSURANCE – SAVING THEM MONEY. THAT’S WHY GROUPS LIKE THE AMERICAN LEGION, THE G-I FORUM OF CALIFORNIA, AND THE V-F-W OF CALIFORNIA ALL SUPPORT PROPOSITION 33. JOIN ME IN SUPPORTING OUR HEROES. VOTE YES ON PROP 33.”

The Los Angeles Times did not like the ad, saying it does not protect the military. We disagree. Not only that, but so does the following veterans’ organization. On behalf of the Vietnam Veterans of America we include a letter from Lt. Colonel Pete Conaty (Retired).

Consumer Watchdog, noted for the statement, “We don’t throw mud, we throw bombs,” invoked the tragedy in Libya as reason to ask George Joseph, founder of Mercury, to withdraw the ads.

While George Joseph did not write or approve of the ads, Joseph, who flew missions over North Africa in World War II, also is not asking that they be removed.

Mike Mattoch, veteran and Western regional executive of USAA, the preferred financial services provider of the military, said, “Proposition 33 is good for the military in particular; and contains explicit protections for military personnel, ensuring that those who are defending our country do not lose a discount that they have more than earned due to their service. The radio ad is concise and factual.”

Proposition 33 is supported by the American GI Forum of California, the American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of American, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars of California, among others. Proposition 33 would deem all active military as continuously covered – and therefore, whether home or abroad, military families will keep their car insurance discount.

If Consumer Watchdog has any shame left, it should rejoin us in a vigorous but rational debate over the policy in Proposition 33.

Read Proposition 33 at www.YESProp33.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/yesprop33 and on Twitter @yesprop33.

[boardman]