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Emergency insurance assessment for Florida policy holders shelved 2 years early

An emergency assessment initiated more than two years ago to pay for insurance bonds is coming to an early end.

The Florida Insurance Guaranty Association voted this month to eliminate the 1% emergency assessment on Florida homeowner and business property and casualty policies two years earlier than expected.

The assessment was initiated on Oct. 1, 2023, to pay for bonds issued through the Florida Insurance Assistance Interlocal Agency to help cover unearned premium refunds through claims related to storm-related property insurance filings.

Those assessments covered 10 homeowner insurance companies that went insolvent.

The Association’s decision to end the assessment is expected to save about $650 million that would have been racked up and paid by Florida policyholders through Sept. 30, 2028. There will still be a charged assessment of 1% through Sept. 30 this year, but it will end Oct. 1.

Wilton Simpson backs Kelly Ann Walker in crowded HD 74 GOP Primary

Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson is throwing his support behind Republican Kelly Ann Walker in the House District 74 race to succeed outgoing Rep. James Buchanan.

The endorsement from Simpson — a former Senate President and one of Florida’s most prominent Republican elected officials — adds a powerful ally to Walker’s corner as the race for the GOP nomination intensifies. The seat has drawn five Republican candidates and establishment support is split, setting up a high-profile endorsement battle that could influence fundraising and momentum heading into the Aug. 18 Primary.

Simpson praised Walker as “a strong America First conservative who understands what makes Florida the leader of the nation.”

“She stands firmly for protecting our farmers and ranchers, supporting law enforcement, defending faith and family, and standing up for our veterans,” he said. “Kelly is disciplined, prepared, and committed to preserving the conservative principles that have made our state successful. I have full confidence she will represent House District 74 with strength and integrity, and I am proud to endorse her.”

Step Up For Students gets renewed for handling state private school scholarship program

The Florida Board of Education has awarded a nonprofit organization that provides scholarships to private schools the title of Scholarship Funding Organization.

Step Up For Students was renewed to handle scholarship funding by the Board to distribute those scholarship funds for the 2026 to 2027 school year. The Board voted unanimously this month to renew.

“Step Up For Students is grateful for the confidence the Board of Education has shown in our ability to manage the state’s education choice programs,” said Step Up CEO Gretchen Schoenhaar. “There is no initiative of this size, scope and complexity in the country, and we are honored to serve the parents, students, schools, providers and vendors as well as to partner with the (Department of Education) and Legislature in Florida.”

Step Up For Students is based in Jacksonville and St. Petersburg and has awarded more than 2 million scholarships since it was founded in 2002, when it began administering Florida education choice scholarships. The nonprofit handles five programs for about 520,000 students.

Can Hillsborough and Tampa afford to pay for a Rays stadium?

The Tampa Bay Rays’ proposed stadium plan could move the team into an echelon of ballpark budgeting — both in final cost and public contribution — few in Major League Baseball have reached.

The first estimate for a stadium on Hillsborough College’s Dale Mabry campus is $2.3 billion, not including the surrounding development. The team’s owners say they plan to pay for at least half of the stadium cost. For the rest — about $1.15 billion — the team is looking to Hillsborough County and the city of Tampa.

Can Hillsborough and Tampa afford those costs?

It’s unclear. But a review of potential known sources shows a deal could hinge on taxes and fees generated by the development itself. Projections for these levies have not yet been made available.

The Tampa Bay Times spoke with city and county officials and employees, as well as several independent experts, to determine how much money could be drawn from the various public funding sources the team has identified. A Rays spokesperson did not return a phone call or text message requesting comment for this story.