Today, Gov. Deval Patrick named Superior Court Justice Nonnie Burnes to be his Commissioner of Insurance. Burnes, a Superior Court judge since 1996, worked at the same law firm as Patrick, Hill and Barlow, and was vice chair of the State Ethics Commission. Burnes will go to work as insurance commissioner Feb. 26. Patrick and Burnes overlapped at Hill and Barlow. Burnes was appointed by Republican Gov. Bill Weld, who also worked at Hill and Barlow. She replaces Julianne Bowler, a commissioner who was ousted by the Patrick administration.
Commentary on the appointment focused on the auto and home insurance issues facing the Division of Insurance. Commission-to-be Burnes will also have a significant hand in MA health reform implementation, taking a seat on the Board of the Insurance Connector Authority, and taking charge of implementation of “young adult plans” and other reform requirements.
Burnes is an unknown to us. Any intelligence out there?
