Barry Switzer Tied To InsureNet Firm; Will He Profit From Henry's Highway Camera Plan?

Former OU and Dallas Cowboys football coach Barry Switzer, credited by some as being responsible for Governor Henry's upset victory in the 2002 governor's race, apparently is connected to a company that may benefit from Henry's plan to use highway traffic cameras to identify those without vehicle insurance.

While there's been no announcement that InsureNet will be the company chosen to process information obtained through the highway cameras, it has won contracts in other states as a "sole source provider," meaning it is the only firm able to perform the service.

Former Republican House member Wayne Pettigrew of Edmond is a national officer of the firm.

Switzer was a fundraiser for Henry in 2002 and again in 2006. His endorsement of Henry in the 2002 race, many believe, propelled Henry to victory. Switzer also was responsible for placing a last-minute series of Henry radio commercials with a jingle that became the hallmark of the campaign.

Switzer's connection to the firm comes via two articles, the first in a Kansas legislative bulletin and the second written by Kansas blogger Vince Wetta in January of this year:

Bulletin ~ The House Transportation Committee heard a presentation Wednesday on InsureNet, which provides paperless verification of motorists’ insurance status. Former University of Oklahoma football coach Barry Switzer, who implemented the program in Oklahoma, was present at our meeting.

By Vince Wetta In Topeka (January 2010) ~ On Wednesday, the House Transportation Committee heard testimony in support of a new, statewide system for tracking uninsured vehicles. The system, InsureNet, has already been installed in a variety of states, including Nebraska and Pennsylvania.

The intelligent tracking systems (Intellisections) would take pictures of the rear of vehicles and process the license information through a national intranet system within one minute. If the identified vehicle is uninsured, the owner will receive a citation in the mail. To protect privacy, the information is destroyed 60 seconds after it is processed by the tracking system. No private data is retained in the system. This noninvasive approach has made the program popular with many groups and lawmakers. The technology would be placed alongside major interstates, in areas of high population and near the borders of Kansas. An automatic citation system would mail citations within 24 hours. There is no cost for implementation. The service, maintenance, and equipment are paid for by a portion of the new revenue InsureNet generates. It is estimated that $150 million in uninsured motorist fees will be generated for the state of Kansas in the first year. Barry Switzer, former Oklahoma football coach, represented InsureNet. He said to tell all his friends in Sumner County “Hello."

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