Posts filed under 'Political Scene'
Posted: February 15, 2010: 10:42 am
The WH Chamber’s Legislative and Government Affairs Committee arms you with the tools you need to keep a close watch on our lawmakers in Tallahassee. The upcoming legislative session is fast approaching, and you’ll want to view the 2010 Legislative Workshop slideshow. It’s packed with tips and tricks for tracking legislation affecting your business – and for making an impact with state policymakers when it counts. You can download the Power Point presentation here.
State Farm Public Affairs Manager Chris Neal speaks to the Legislative and
Gov’t Affairs Committee on January 20.
The committee will meet next on February 17 at 4:00 p.m. here at the Chamber.
Meetings are open to any interested member.
| See other posts filed in: Chamber Events, Perspective, Political Scene
Posted: November 18, 2009: 8:34 am
Winter Haven Chamber’s Legislative and Public Policy Committee hosts Polk County lawmaker – by Justin Glover
WINTER HAVEN—Outgoing State Representative Baxter G. Troutman (left) recently provided an in-depth preview of his final legislative session, saying Florida’s economy remains “front and center” for lawmakers as they convene in Tallahassee.
Rep. Troutman spoke to members of the Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce’s Legislative and Public Policy Committee. The Legislative and Public Policy Committee was formed by the Winter Haven Chamber to address the public policy concerns of local businesses at city, county and state levels.
At the meeting, Troutman said he expected lawmakers would be forced to trim another $1-3 billion off of an already scaled-back state budget. Unlike other issues addressed by the legislature which sometimes have limited impacts, the state’s budget is one in which, “we’re all affected,” according to Troutman.
Troutman, who is term-limited in 2010, serves as Chairman of the powerful House General Government Policy Committee and has represented Polk County since 2002. Look for his committee to be involved in several important debates next session, including another high priority for lawmakers and businesses: energy policy. Troutman said he believes the Legislature will pass a sweeping energy package aimed at finding more sustainable energy sources. At the same time, Troutman said he’ll make sure the final bill doesn’t overburden small businesses with huge costs for compliance.
“We’ll keep the ratepayer in mind,” Troutman said.
Property insurance reform will also demand attention in Tallahassee, and Troutman expects to again support a measure giving consumers more choices in insuring their homes and businesses. Earlier this year, the Legislature passed HB 1171 to allow property insurance consumers to choose whether to pay a higher premium for private coverage or opt for coverage through state-run Citizens Property Insurance. The bill was vetoed by Gov. Crist.
Of the measure, Troutman said, “If the consumer wants to pay, why should government get in the way?”
Polk County residents could also see the debate over commuter rail resurrected. Troutman said it’s possible House and Senate leaders will call for a Special Session in December to deal with public transportation and the long-debated issue of expanded gambling on Florida’s Seminole reservations.
Complete our legislative issues survey now at this link (survey closes at 3 p.m. today).
The Chamber’s next Government and Legislative Affairs Committee meeting is today, Wednesday, November 18 at 4 p.m. in the Chamber’s Coleman Auditorium. Sam Killebrew will present an overview of the status and challenge in addressing the Hometown Democracy amendment. The Committee will also review the results of a Chamber member legislative issues survey. Chamber members are invited to attend.
| See other posts filed in: Chamber Events, City of Winter Haven, Perspective, Political Scene
Posted: October 6, 2009: 8:17 am
It’s Tuesday, October 6 and Winter Haven residents go to the polls today to decide a run-off race for City Commission Seat 5. The candidates are:
Commissioner Mike Easterling
Steven Hunnicutt
The Chamber compiled basic information from questionnaire answers from the candidates. It is available here.
Polls are open until 7 p.m. this evening. Do your part and participate in the democratic process.
| See other posts filed in: City of Winter Haven, Political Scene
Posted: August 5, 2009: 1:43 pm
The Chamber hosted a City Commission Candidate Breakfast Forum this morning (August 5, 2009). The breakfast was organized by the Chamber’s Government and Legislative Affairs Committee. The candidates were asked a series of questions relevant to the business community including transportation priorities, economic development opportunities, public transit funding, city responsibility to the Chain of Lakes and their opinion of the Hometown Democracy amendment (requiring all future comprehensive plan amendments to be put forth in voter referendums) expected to be on the 2010 state ballot.
Candidates for Seat 4 (Mayor Yvonne Brooks and Jamie Beckett) both pointed to the economic development potential of the Winter Haven Municipal Airport along the US 92 corridor. Beckett noted his view that runway length would not support increased use by corporate jets. Beckett felt the city’s responsibility with regard to the Chain of Lakes required cooperation with the various agencies from the canal commission to the Southwest Florida Water Management District. Brooks pointed to the number of lakes preservation goals outlined in the “Our Future By Design” visioning document that the city has accomplished including the urban lakefront design guidelines. Their most divergent views were expressed regarding the Hometown Democracy amendment with Brooks favoring continuing the current regulatory process and Beckett supporting the amendment. (Ed. Note: While candidate Beckett originally stated that he felt comprehensive plan changes should be left to voters, he has since clarified his position and opposes the Hometown Democracy amendment. His clarification is noted in the first comment below. – BG 8/13/09)
Candidates for Seat 5 (Commissioner Mike Easterling, Steven Hunnicutt and Bob Jardine) were in general agreement on most issues. Easterling expressed his continued commitment to the community visioning plan and Hunnicutt and Jardine both agreed it was an important guide for decisions. Jardine noted his interest in representing the needs of sight and physically impaired including his work to secure audible crossing signals for key city intersections. All Seat 4 candidates favor retaining the current regulatory system for changes in comprehensive plans and opposed the Hometown Democracy amendment.
Candidates for Commission Seat 4:
Mayor Yvonne Brooks
Jamie Beckett
Candidates for Seat 5:
Commissioner Mike Easterling
Steven Hunnicutt
Bob Jardine
The Chamber collected candidate information including background, city strengths and challenges, revitalization, top priorities and more. A comparison of that information is available at this link.
The city election will take place Tuesday, September 8, 2009.
| See other posts filed in: Chain of Lakes, City of Winter Haven, Economic Development, Perspective, Political Scene, Transportation
Posted: June 30, 2009: 4:45 pm
The Florida Chamber of Commerce’s annual survey brings together the collective voices of thousands of employers for the legislative session and it’s your opportunity to speak to your elected officials in Tallahassee with one voice as a united business community. In the survey, you can provide input on topics including taxes, insurance, workforce issues, lawsuit abuse, healthcare, constitutional amendments, energy solutions and more. We also encourage you to comment about issues that are not yet mentioned in the survey.
Just click here and fire away!
This is a proven tool in the fight to improve Florida for employers and business owners. For example, thousands of you told us in last year’s survey that you wanted lower workers’ compensation insurance costs. You then rallied behind your agenda through a grassroots campaign to pass legislation that resulted in a $172 million savings for Florida employers’ insurance costs effective July 1. The Florida Chamber worked with your industry associations and local chambers of commerce to deliver this and many other business agenda results.
| See other posts filed in: Political Scene
Posted: May 5, 2009: 2:12 pm
Homeowners want Freedom of Choice for Homeowner’s Insurance
Legislation approved by formidable margins in both the Florida House and Senate is on its way to Governor Crist’s desk for signature. If you support free market choice for homeowner’s insurance, please use the link below to urge the Governor’s support of HB 1171. Share with your family and friends who are also Florida residents at risk …
The message is clear: homeowners want freedom of choice. The people are asking for the freedom to choose, and the Legislature has answered by approving the Consumer Choice bill (HB 1171) with a clear majority. With this action, legislators proved they were listening. They showed they understood the importance of allowing consumers the right to choose their own insurance company for homeowners insurance.
Promise of Protection
Homeowners deserve protection. In addition to offering consumer choice, the bill holds the promise of protection. Homeowners will be protected from insurance companies who are not financially sound enough to pay claims. They can rest secure in the knowledge that if the unexpected happens, they can count on their trusted insurance company to help them recover.
Freedom of choice and the promise of protection all are within reach, but could easily slip from our hands: Governor Crist (pictured at left) has suggested he may not allow this pro-consumer legislation to become law. The time to act is now. If you agree that Floridians deserve greater insurance choices, please click here and contact the Governor immediately and tell him you support the Consumer Choice bill (HB 1171).
More information on this important bill:
Choice
- This bill is all about choice.
o Prior to this legislation, consumers were often forced to find coverage through state-run Citizens or smaller, unknown start-up companies.
o Under the bill, consumers would have the option to choose financially strong insurance companies as they compete for the business.
Protection:
- The bill does NOT force a single consumer to pay more for insurance. Consumers will continue to have access to lower-cost alternatives.
- After a storm, the ability to pay claims is critical. With news of the Cat Fund and Citizens potentially being unable to meet obligations, this bill is welcome news because it potentially allows well-funded insurance companies to expand available coverage to Floridians facing the next storm.
- The policies offered under this legislation are NOT unregulated. Key state requirements for claims paying ability and fair customer treatment continue to apply.
Education:
- Consumers will be educated on their options.
o Lower-cost alternatives policies will be offered through a comparison shopping requirement contained in the bill.
o Consumers will be asked to acknowledge they are purchasing a “Consumer Choice” policy through a signed disclosure.
Bill Summary:
HB 1171 was proposed in response to the thousands of consumers who found themselves without property insurance from a large, well-known company and were forced to obtain coverage through Citizens or an unknown provider. This legislation is designed to give consumers greater insurance choices.
The bill allows qualified insurance companies to offer policies with market-based rates to customers wanting greater insurance options. Companies qualify to participate by meeting financial requirements, ensuring that only strong companies better-able to meet their claims obligations offer these products.
Consumers will continue to have access to Citizens and other lower-cost options through companies offering policies subject to state price controls.
| See other posts filed in: General Announcements, Perspective, Political Scene
Posted: April 9, 2009: 3:30 pm
The Florida Legislature is making progress in working toward solutions to Florida’s home owners insurance mess. Two promising bills are moving forward that would help return the free market to homeowner insurance. The following information is worthy of your consideration and, if you are so inclined, a note of encouragement to our legislative delegation would be most appropriate. We have included a link at the end of this post that allows easy email options to your legislators. (And thanks to all those who took the time to write last week. Senate Bill 2036 passed out of committee on a 6-2 vote.)
This bill has already passed out of the House Insurance, Business and Financial Affairs Committee with a unanimous vote. The companion bill in the Senate, SB 2036, also passed out of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee last week on a 6-2 vote. Both bills have suddenly gained momentum and it is important that we continue to advocate for their passage.
This bill creates and defines classes of “non-assessable” and “assessable” residential property insurance policies. Non-assessable residential property insurance policies are exempted from state rate regulation except to make sure that insurers are charging enough to avoid insolvency. Non-assessable residential property insurance policies are from Citizens Property Insurance Corporation (CPIC) assessments.
Insurers would be allowed to offer assessable or non-assessable policies and consumers could choose which they prefer. Such policies would be required to contain a specific disclaimer describing the assessable and non-assessable characteristics of the policy, as well as the limited rate regulation to which the policy would be subjected. If passed, the legislation would take effect July 1, 2009. House Bill 1171 is a companion bill to Senate Bill 2036 Sponsored by Senator Bennett.
Florida’s current homeowner’s insurance system is broken. One major hurricane could bankrupt several private insurance companies, CPIC and the CAT Fund – devastating Florida’s already weakened economy.
In addition to the real possibility that claims could go unpaid, the resulting threat every Florida family faces today is that we could be assessed as much as $1,400 a year – for several years – in “hidden hurricane taxes” to pay for the state’s hurricane losses that cannot be met through Citizens or the FHCF.
To contact your legislators, use this convenient link.
| See other posts filed in: General Announcements, Perspective, Political Scene
Posted: April 2, 2009: 3:10 pm
Legislation is taking form in Tallahassee that could begin to address Florida’s broken homeowner’s insurance industry. At least nine major A-rated insurers have pulled out of the state citing artificially low rate regulation that forced them to pay out more in claims than they were collecting in premiums. The legislation described below allows the free market to return and can allow you as an insured to choose insurance based on competition in the market place.
It doesn’t address all the Florida’s quirks … but it’s a start. We present this summary for your consideration. If you support this approach, please communicate your support to Senator J. D. Alexander. His email link appears at the end of this post.
BILL SUMMARY – Senate Bill 2036
This bill creates and defines classes of “non-assessable” and “assessable” residential property insurance policies. Non-assessable residential property insurance policies are exempted from state rate regulation except to make sure that insurers are charging enough to avoid insolvency. Non-assessable residential property insurance policies are also exempted from FHCF (Cat Fund – short for funds reserved for catastrophic events such as a hurricane) assessments and CPIC assessments.
Insurers would be allowed to offer assessable or non-assessable policies and consumers could choose which they prefer. Such policies would be required to contain a specific disclaimer describing the assessable and non-assessable characteristics of the policy, as well as the limited rate regulation to which the policy would be subjected. If passed, the legislation would take effect July 1, 2009.
Senate Bill 2036 is a companion bill to House Bill 1171 sponsored by Representative Bill Proctor, St. Augustine.
The Problem:
Florida’s current homeowner’s insurance system is broken. One major hurricane could bankrupt several private insurance companies, CPIC and the CAT Fund - devastating Florida’s already weakened economy.
In addition to the real possibility that claims could go unpaid, the resulting threat every Florida family faces today is that we could be assessed as much as $1,400 a year – for several years – in “hidden hurricane taxes” to pay for the state’s hurricane losses that cannot be met through Citizens or the FHCF.
The Solution:
Statutory and regulatory obstacles that severely restrict rating and underwriting decisions by insurers should be eliminated to allow for pricing and underwriting in line with market demands. A free-market approach to insuring property in Florida would allow the bulk of insured losses to be covered by pre-event surplus, resulting in significantly less reliance on taxpayer subsidies (post-event assessments).
The economic impacts on Floridians living in less-vulnerable areas would be minimized. As fewer private property insurers write homeowner’s insurance in the state, public sentiment is rapidly growing in support of free choice. If an insurance consumer feels their homeowner’s insurance company is charging excessive rates, it should be their choice to voluntarily leave that insurer.
It is not the state’s role to force consumers to choose between Citizens or an untested takeout company.
You can email Senator J. D. Alexandar here. Note your support for Senate Bill 2036.
| See other posts filed in: General Announcements, Perspective, Political Scene
Posted: May 16, 2008: 2:06 pm
Fresh from her role in delivering a setback for Central Florida Commuter Rail, State Senator Paula Dockery has elected to inject herself into the State’s own DRI process via a letter she sent yesterday. In the letter to Thomas Pelham, Secretary of the Florida Department of Community Affairs, Dockery notes, “The recent events of the legislative session provide DCA with plenty of breathing room to conduct an exhaustive evaluation of the potential impacts of the project, without being subjected to pressure from those trying to hurry the process along.”
We can only hope Secretary Pelham will not be subjected to pressure from those trying to delay the project until it dies.
It is disappointing to note that while we invited Senator Dockery to join the Chamber’s fact-finding visit to Alliance, Texas in this March 13 post, she is not registered as a part of the group that will visit Alliance for a site tour on Monday, May 19. It will indeed provide perspectives based on an operating integrated logistics center that has produced more than 27,000 direct jobs and had a $31 billion economic impact since opening in 1994.
The Winter Haven ILC will provide needed jobs and economic stimulus for not just Winter Haven or Polk but Central Florida. It will play an important role in your business growth for years to come. You may want to drop a note of encouragement to:
Thomas G. Pelham, Secretary Florida Department of Community Affairs, 2555 Sumard Oak Boulevard, Tallahassee, FL 32399-2100
You’ll find the complete text of Dockery’s letter here.
Fortunately, the DRI process she wants to slow is moving at a deliberate, established pace grounded in established policies of the DCA.
| See other posts filed in: CSX - Winter Haven, Commercial Developments, Economic Development, Perspective, Political Scene, Transportation
Posted: May 1, 2008: 12:46 pm
The Florida Senate this morning again brought to the floor transportation legislation that includes amendments relevant to Central Florida Commuter Rail. Senators discussed the merits of stripping all amendments from the legislation and sending it back to the House or hearing the full bill — amendments and all. After discussion the legislation was tabled until possibly later today.
For a perspective on the current scenerio read this Orlando Sentinel report.
Plans for developing an intermodal rail terminal in Winter Haven grew out of the negotiations to bring commuter rail to a four county Central Florida area. Long term goals of area leaders would bring the commuter service on from Poinciana through Polk and into the Tampa Bay area. Creation of the first 61-mile section of commuter rail are seen by many as key to future expansion of the service.
Those monitoring the proceedings feel the final decision will come Friday in the closing deliberations of the session.
| See other posts filed in: CSX - Winter Haven, Economic Development, Perspective, Political Scene, Transportation
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