Michael Moline, Author at Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Michael MolineDecember 7, 2016

“Out of control” litigation costs are slowing efforts by Florida’s property insurer of last resort to shift risk onto private insurers, and may lead to aggressive restrictions on claims for water damage, the organization’s president said Wednesday. Rising litigation “is driving 80 percent of our attention and time,” Barry Gilway warned during a meeting of […]

Michael MolineDecember 7, 2016

The Florida Supreme Court has declined to hear former Florida House member David Rivera’s appeal of a recommendation he pay nearly $60,000 in penalties for alleged ethical violations. Chief Justice Jorge Larbarga and justices Barbara Pariente, Peggy Quince and James E.C. Perry signed an order dated Tuesday declining to hear the case. Justice Fred Lewis voted […]

Michael MolineDecember 6, 2016

The Florida House is 76 percent male, 66 percent white, and has an awful lot of newcomers this year, according to data released by the Majority Office. The Republican caucus is 82 percent male and overwhelmingly white, also at 82 percent, with 17 percent Hispanic and 1 percent African-American. That last would be Rep. Byron […]

Michael MolineDecember 6, 2016

Florida House freshmen attended an introductory course to writing a state budget Tuesday. They learned that the process gives them sweeping authority, but within the limits of fiscal reality. At present, Florida government is running a $3 billion reserve within a total budget of around $83.5 billion. But if spending continues at existing levels, that […]

Michael MolineDecember 5, 2016

Business leaders emphasized the risk rising workers’ compensation costs pose to Florida’s economic competitiveness during an Associated Industries of Florida-sponsored discussion Monday. “There are other governors competing against our governor for the next plant, the next manufacturing facility, the next high-tech jobs,” said Tom Feeney, president and chief executive officer of the business lobby. “They […]

Michael MolineDecember 2, 2016

The Florida Supreme Court has overturned a lower-court ruling that would have made it harder for policyholders to collect on insurance policies when there is more than one cause for their losses. At issue in Sebo v. American Home Assurance Co. was competing doctrines for resolving claims under all-risk policies in those circumstances. Under the […]

Michael MolineDecember 1, 2016

A state appeals court allowed a 14.5 percent increase in workers’ compensation insurance premiums to take effect on schedule Thursday, amid legal scrambling over whether the hike was illegal. The 1st District Court of Appeal acted even before a trial judge could decide on a request to delay her ruling last week invalidating the increase under […]

Michael MolineNovember 30, 2016

Barry Moline, the veteran executive director of the Florida Municipal Electric Association, is moving to Sacramento to run California’s version of his organization. “Barry brings leadership and passion for our mission, and we’re confident he will be a strong steward engaging the community, our membership, and the industry stakeholders,” said Michelle Bertolino, president of the […]

Michael MolineNovember 30, 2016

Democratic political strategist Steve Schale realized that Donald Trump would win Florida 45 minutes after the polling places closed. “Going into Election Day, I thought that Hillary Clinton had a 200,000 vote lead,” Schale, who managed Barack Obama’s Florida campaigns in 2008 and 2012, but sat out 2016, told the Tiger Bay Club in Tallahassee […]

Michael MolineNovember 29, 2016

The Public Service Commission on Tuesday approved a compromise rate increase for Florida Power & Light Co. that will cost customers $811 million over four years. The utility had sought $1.3 billion, but agreed to the compromise with large customers and the Office of Public Counsel, which represents ratepayers before Florida’s utility regulating body. The […]

Michael Moline
Image via Palatka Main Street.

Citizens Insurance chief sees ‘absurd’ rise in litigation expenses

Supreme Court won’t hear David Rivera’s appeal in ethics case

This is your Florida House — men, whites, youth have the numbers

House freshmen get educated on how state budgetary ‘sausage’ is made

AIF emphasizes job-killing aspect of Florida’s workers’ comp increases

Florida Supreme Court rejects shift in insurance claims law

Appeals court allows workers’ compensation premium hike to take effect

Personnel note: Municipal power director Barry Moline California-bound

Steve Schale reflects on a ‘race-to-the-bottom’ election year

PSC approves compromise $811 million rate increase for Florida Power