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

Michael MolineAugust 24, 2016

Former NBC News correspondent Luke Russert will deliver the keynote address during the Florida Association of Professional Lobbyists annual conference next month. “The FAPL Foundation thrives on offering educational opportunities for Florida’s lobbyists and showcasing new avenues for learning,” foundation chairwoman Keyna Cory said. “Luke’s accomplished career and valuable insight will give our lobbyists the freedom […]

Michael MolineAugust 24, 2016

A lawyer acting on behalf of Republican congressional candidate Mary Thomas is demanding Florida broadcasters pull ads labeling her “a Charlie Crist appointee.” But the political committee behind the spots appears uncowed. A spokesman for the ESAFund confirmed that, as of Tuesday evening, all ad buys were still in place. Craig Engle, a partner in the Arent Fox law […]

Michael MolineAugust 23, 2016

There was a conspicuous absence during a debate Tuesday between the candidates for Congress in Florida’s second district — Republican Mary Thomas pulled out just minutes before the festivities were to begin. The two remaining Republicans, Panama City urologist Neal Dunn and attorney Ken Sukhia, were left to compete for the mantle of the true […]

Michael MolineAugust 22, 2016

The Florida Public Service Commission opened hearings Monday on Florida Power & Light Co.’s request for nearly $1.3 billion in rate increases during the next three years, with an array of customers on hand to oppose the hikes. The increases are “unprecedented and unwarranted,” said Patricia Christensen of the Office of Public Counsel, which represents […]

Michael MolineAugust 19, 2016

Florida’s unemployment rate held steady at 4.7 percent in July, despite the creation of 26,500 new private-sector jobs, state officials announced Friday. Out of a labor force of more than 9.7 million Floridians, 456,000 could not find work. Gov. Rick Scott noted that July marked the 52nd consecutive month that Florida job growth outpaced the […]

Michael MolineAugust 18, 2016

Don’t blame us for rising premiums, administrators of Florida’s high-risk property insurance pool told state regulators Thursday — blame lawyers and unscrupulous building contractors. And a bunch of burst pipes and overflowing washing machines in South Florida. John Rollins, chief risk officer for Citizens Property Insurance Corp., pointed to an increased use since 2013 of […]

Michael MolineAugust 18, 2016

A public hearing this week represented a major battle in the war over a proposed major increase in workers’ compensation insurance premiums, but the fighting is by no means over. The Office of Insurance Regulation will accept public comments on the proposed 19.6 percent hike until close of business Aug. 23. “While there is no […]

Michael MolineAugust 17, 2016

Three candidates won nomination Wednesday to sit on the Florida Public Service Commission. Their names go to Gov. Rick Scott, who will make the final selection. Conspicuously absent from the final cut was Jeffrey Bragg, previously Scott’s top pick for state insurance commissioner. Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater didn’t support him for that post and the job eventually went to […]

Michael MolineAugust 16, 2016

Trial attorneys mounted an ardent defense Tuesday of Florida Supreme Court rulings blamed by business interests for threatening an increase in workers’ compensation insurance premiums of nearly 20 percent. Mark Touby, a Coral Gables attorney who helped persuade the justices to eliminate a limit on attorney fees in workers’ compensation cases, insisted during a public […]

Michael MolineAugust 16, 2016

A leading open-government advocate offered strong support Monday for a legal challenge to a proposed workers’ compensation insurance premium increase of nearly 20 percent. “I think he’s got a cause of action,” First Amendment Foundation President Barbara Peterson said of Miami attorney James Fee, who is challenging the rate hike on open-government grounds. Fee filed suit in Miami-Dade […]

Michael Moline

Luke Russert to address lobbyists convention in Tampa

Lawyers for Mary Thomas attempt to get ad yanked, but spot linking her to Charlie Crist still running

Mary Thomas bails on CD 2 debate in Tallahassee

PSC opens hearings on FPL rate hike

Florida unemployment rate steady at 4.7 percent

Dodgy contractors share blame for high rates, last-chance insurer says

No deadline for decision on big workers’ comp hike

Jeffrey Bragg fails to make final cut for PSC seat

Attorneys defend Florida Supreme Court decision on workers’ comp rate increase

Open government activists back legal challenge to worker’s comp rate increase