FL Legislature 2022
Estimated insurance losses from Idalia now near $90 million, state says
The state has seen nearly $90 million in estimated insurance loss claims from Hurricane Idalia, according to the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR), representing 11,283 claims made so far. Insurance companies were required to begin submitting data to the OIR beginning Friday at noon. The agency notes that these are preliminary data, as they […]
Elections bill helps out Gov. DeSantis and his presidential aspirations
At the end of last week, the Florida House approved a nearly 100-page elections bill on Friday that came with a present to Gov. Ron DeSantis: The contentious bill includes a provision that will ensure DeSantis does not need to resign if he opts to run for president in 2024. The measure (HB 7050) is […]
Bid for ‘balance’ for short-term vacation rentals remains alive in 2023 session
For more than a decade, the Florida Legislature has been unsuccessful in finding a fair balance in regulating short-term vacation rentals in the Sunshine State. Is the year when a breakthrough finally happens? That remains unclear as the latest attempt (SB 714) advanced in a Senate committee Tuesday — a measure that local government officials […]
FL university system imposes 5-year tenure review; profs, other advocates criticize the change
Florida’s state university system is making major changes to long-time tenure protections, meaning that established professors would have to undergo a review every five years to determine the faculty members’ “productivity.” However, Florida-based professors and other advocates say that the new rule, approved by the Florida Board of Governors Wednesday, could hurt academic freedom and […]
Commissioner Diaz recommends book on Roberto Clemente, though it had been unavailable for months
An elementary-level book on famous baseball player Roberto Clemente, who faced racism prior to his death, became a symbol of widespread concerns over school book bans in Florida, spurred by 2022 legislation from the DeSantis administration regarding the review of school library books. Now, Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. is recommending that same book for […]
FL’s higher ed system faces a mountain of contentious changes under DeSantis; here’s a rundown
Gov. Ron DeSantis regularly touts the top-ranking status of Florida’s higher education system, but over the past year, his administration has micromanaged and implemented a barrage of fundamental changes that have impacted how the state’s universities and community colleges function. Between legislation, lawsuits, trials, and conservative policies, DeSantis has engaged in a feud that pits […]
DeSantis sees long recovery from property insurance woes; spreads millions for beach restoration
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday warned that it’s too soon to expect the property insurance reforms the Legislature passed last month to result in lower rates or increased availability of coverage. “It’s going to take a little while longer before you see [results] — but I think the response has been very positive,” DeSantis said […]
DeSantis signs billion-dollar insurance industry subsidy; but will ordinary homeowners get help?
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday approved what Democrats have called a billion-dollar “bailout” for the property insurance industry, even as ordinary homeowners wait for lower premiums for policy holders. “Floridians are losing yet again. I worry for our neighbors on fixed incomes. How many people are going to lose their homes before this ‘trickle down’ […]
‘This is just the beginning’: DeSantis signs into law 1-year toll discount program, vows to do more
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday signed into law a new toll discount initiative for frequent commuters, but it will only last a year, from Jan. 1. to Dec. 31, 2023. “This is one thing we are going to do. But we are going to do much more in terms of tax relief for people throughout […]
FL GOP and insurance companies won big in this week’s special session; Dems call it a ‘bailout’
The Florida Legislature’s special session on insurance reform ended Wednesday in an air of inevitability: The House gave final passage to a bill extending a $1 billion subsidy to insurance companies but doing little to decrease premiums any time soon or provide relief for ordinary homeowners. The bill creates a fund in that amount to […]
FL Senate OKs $1B insurance industry subsidy, limits policyholders’ lawsuit rights
The Florida GOP’s insurance reforms — which would give another $1 billion subsidy to the carriers while restricting policyholders’ ability to sue them and still won’t lower premiums anytime soon — passed the Florida Senate on Tuesday. Members of the minority party lamented that the bill would tie policyholders’ hands in fights with insurance companies […]
FL Senate approves multi-million-dollar price tag for disaster relief
The Florida Senate voted unanimously in favor of a disaster relief bill with a price tag of at least $750 million, though some Democrats voiced concern about residents left out of lucrative programs such as hurricane-related tax refunds, beach erosion projects and other recovery efforts. “I’m sympathetic to the needs of Floridians who were devastated […]