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

Michael MolineApril 20, 2018

An appellate court on Thursday unanimously upheld a public records exemption covering the names and addresses of consumers who challenge the disposition of claims against homeowner or sinkhole insurance claims. Two law firms — Danahy & Murray, of Tampa, and Bennett Dennison, of Bradenton — had persuaded Leon County Circuit Judge Charles Dodson to strike […]

Michael MolineApril 18, 2018

The 1st District Court of Appeal asked the Florida Supreme Court on Wednesday to clarify whether the high court meant to rule eight years ago that state environmental law doesn’t allow parties to recover personal injury damages arising from toxic spills. Judge James Wolf, writing for a unanimous three-judge panel, took the high court at […]

Michael MolineApril 18, 2018

On Wednesday, a state appellate court overruled a workers’ compensation judge who denied death and funeral benefits for an employee’s widow on the ground that he was intoxicated when he stepped into the path of a truck on U.S. 1. State law allows denial of benefits when a workplace death or injury is attributable to […]

Michael MolineApril 13, 2018

A key state workers’ compensation oversight board operated at full strength for the first time since 2014 on Tuesday, as its new employee representative took his seat. Jason Robbins, a workers’ comp attorney from Melbourne, won the appointment from Gov. Rick Scott in June, but hearings in Tallahassee on reimbursement rates for medical providers under […]

Michael MolineApril 11, 2018

Want to find out how Florida’s workers’ compensation system regulates pharmacy fees, as compared to other states? Provides treatment for PTSD? Manages the cost of hospital inpatient and outpatient fees? The annual report from the Workers Compensation Research Institute, released this week, spells out all of that and more. It’s intended as a one-stop resource […]

Michael MolineApril 10, 2018

A state board on Tuesday approved updated reimbursement rates for medical providers, hospitals, and ambulatory care centers that would add $144 million to Florida’s workers’ compensation costs. The Three-Member Panel, which oversees medical reimbursement under the workers’ comp system, unanimously approved the new rates during a public hearing in Tallahassee. The rates need approval by […]

Michael MolineApril 5, 2018

Are Scott Maddox’s financial supporters mad that he spent $125,000 in political donations on legal fees arising from the federal investigation into Tallahassee’s City Hall? Not especially, judging from conversations with some of those supporters. “I don’t blame him for using it for that. It doesn’t bother me,” said Kevin Collins, a Tallahassee real estate […]

Michael MolineApril 4, 2018

Florida’s new $88.7 billion state budget contains 87 “turkeys” worth $147.5 million, Florida TaxWatch announced Wednesday, including nearly $120 million in transportation projects slipped in by state legislators without formal evaluation. That helped starve arts spending. The Department of State had ranked 489 cultural, museum, and other arts projects worth $41.6 million, but the Legislature […]

Michael MolineApril 3, 2018

Sens. Dorothy Hukill and Kathleen Passidomo are the Personal Insurance Federation of Florida’s Legislative Champions for 2018. The organization recognized the pair “for work on issues impacting Florida insurance consumers” during the 2018 Legislative Session. “The consumer protections that did occur this year would not have been possible without the initiative of these lawmakers,” PIFF […]

Michael MolineMarch 7, 2018

As the House debated the post-Parkland bill Wednesday, Gov. Rick Scott refused to commit to signing it. “As you know, the bill is still being debated. When the bill makes it to my desk, I’m going to do what they don’t seem to be doing in Washington. I’m going to review the bill line by […]

Michael Moline

Court OKs open records exemption for insurance claim disputes

1st DCA asks Supreme Court to reconsider personal injury claims involving pollution

Appeal court: Evidence didn’t prove worker was drunk when hit by a truck on U.S. 1

Florida’s Three Member Panel has three members at last

Report dives into the weeds on workers’ compensation medical cost containment

Workers’ comp panel OKs reimbursement increases for medical providers

Scott Maddox campaign contributors OK with covering legal bills

Florida TaxWatch finds $147.5 million in ‘turkeys’ in state budget

Dorothy Hukill, Kathleen Passidomo recognized for roles in insurance debate

Rick Scott refuses to be pinned down on school safety legislation