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Florida Insurance Scandal Has 'Huge' Impact for Homeowners

A previously secret study revealing that Florida insurers claimed to be losing money because of major storms while transferring billions of dollars to affiliate and parent companies sheds light on the crisis that has enveloped the state over the past few years.

The 2022 study report, obtained and released by the Miami Herald and Tampa Bay Times last week, shows that insurance companies in the Sunshine State justified massive premium hikes for policyholders as necessary to cover losses at the same time that executives distributed $680 million in dividends to shareholders and diverted billions to affiliates.

"This is the most eye-opening ray of sunlight to pierce the shadowy world of Florida homeowners insurance in years," Doug Quinn, executive director of the watchdog American Policyholder Association, told Newsweek.

"The impact of this scandal is huge. Florida policyholders have had money taken out of their pockets that they simply cannot afford."

Crucially, the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (FLOIR) has released only the executive summary of the report, not including the indexes, "even though they appear to have critical information," Quinn said.

DeSantis talks immigration, Florida economy and insurance in State of the State

The governor, like the duties of the president, is tasked with providing a message at the start of each regular legislative session. This message should include information about the condition of the state, any proposals to reorganize the executive branch, and to recommend measures in the public interest, according to Article IV, Section 1, Subsection e in the Florida Constitution.

"Florida is the leader among states because we lean into challenges, tackle the big issues and deliver results for the people that we serve," DeSantis said during his opening remarks.

"We lead with purpose and conviction. We lead with determination and strength. We lead with faith, and we lead with hope."

DeSantis touted the state's recent economic performance, in particular Florida's unemployment rate.

"For the past two years, Florida's economy has ranked No. 1 in these United States," the governor said. "We have an unemployment rate that has been lower than the national average for more than 50 months straight."

‘Rural Renaissance’ Plan Gets Backing

A nearly $200 million priority of Senate President Ben Albritton that includes making Florida’s rural communities more attractive to doctors and teachers and spurring transportation projects easily moved through its first committee Monday.

The Senate Community Affairs Committee unanimously approved the wide-ranging measure (SB 110), which has been dubbed the “rural renaissance” plan. Among other things, the measure would create an Office of Rural Prosperity at the state Department of Commerce, increase funding for “fiscally constrained counties” and designate $1 million block grants to eight counties with declining populations — Gadsden, Hardee, Taylor, Jackson, Calhoun, Liberty, Madison and Lafayette.

“The heart of our state is the center of the state,” said Sen. Kathleen Passidomo, a former Senate president from Naples. “So, I look forward to hearing how you develop this project over the next 10, 20, 30, 50 years.”

The eight counties would have to develop plans to use the money to try to boost their populations.

“There is no pre-emptive mandate in this bill,” bill sponsor Corey Simon, R-Tallahassee, said. “This bill will be dictated by the folks that are living in your communities. That will determine how high you go; how much you decide to dig in and make your communities better.”

James Uthmeier to officially kick off AG campaign next week

James Uthmeier, the former Chief of Staff to Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed as Attorney General after former AG Ashley Moody was appointed to the U.S. Senate, will officially kick off his 2026 campaign for the job next week on Tuesday, March 11.

The event will be held at The Governor’s Inn, 209 S. Adams St., Tallahassee, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Uthmeier was sworn in as Attorney General earlier this month, replacing Moody, who replaced former U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio after he was tapped to serve as President Donald Trump’s Secretary of State. His appointment will fill the remaining portion of Moody’s term through 2026, meaning Uthmeier will have to seek election to the seat in 2026 for a full term.

Uthmeier filed for that race last week. His appointment to the remainder of the current term will not count toward term limits, meaning that if he is elected, he will have the opportunity to serve nearly 10 years as Attorney General, not just eight.

It is Uthmeier’s first bid for public office, but he has plenty of experience running statewide campaigns for others. Earlier this month, he launched the political committee Friends of James Uthmeier in anticipation of his statewide run.