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

Michael MolineSeptember 27, 2016

State regulators Tuesday approved a 14.5 percent average increase in workers’ compensation insurance premiums — less than the 19.6 percent hike sought by an industry council. The new rates take effect Dec. 1. The original rate proposal by the National Council on Compensation Insurance, or NCCI, would have taken effect on Oct. 1. The higher […]

Michael MolineSeptember 27, 2016

Florida’s property insurer of last resort fears lingering damage from Hurricane Hermine — in the form of third-party claims officials and business leaders blame for escalating premiums. Thus far, of 837 Hermine-related insurance claims, third-party public adjusters filed seven — and five involved assignment of benefits agreements, or AOBs, staff members told a Citizens Property […]

Michael MolineSeptember 20, 2016

One of Florida’s best-respected business leaders read Gov. Rick Scott and the Legislature the riot act Tuesday over insufficient support for business development. Charles Cobb Jr. was polite about it — courtly even — during an address to the Economic Club of Florida in Tallahassee. But he was clear that the state’s leaders need to […]

Michael MolineSeptember 20, 2016

Attorney General Pam Bondi forcefully denied wrongdoing Tuesday in connection with a $25,000 campaign contribution from Donald Trump’s foundation after her office received complaints about Trump University. “I would never trade any campaign donation — that’s absurd — for some type of favor to anyone,” Bondi said during a frequently testy exchange with news reporters […]

Michael MolineSeptember 16, 2016

State regulators approved premium increases averaging 6.4 percent on homeowner policies issued by Citizens Property Insurance Corp., Florida’s state-run insurer of last resort. The Office of Insurance Regulation pared down that increase slightly from the 6.9 percent Citizens sought during a rate hearing last month. You can read the order here. The office approved rate […]

Michael MolineSeptember 16, 2016

Florida’s insurer of last resort has paid more than $90,000 in Hurricane Hermine claims. That was the tally as of Friday afternoon, with 618 claims still being processed. “Most of the claims have been filed for the Tampa Bay area — relatively far from where the storm landed,” said Michael Peltier, spokesman for Citizens Property […]

Michael MolineSeptember 15, 2016

Heritage Property & Casualty Insurance Co. has requested premium increases averaging nearly 10 percent on most Florida policy renewals effective on Dec. 1. The new rates would cover the approximately 68,200 homes and condo policies Heritage acquired last year from Citizens Property Insurance Corp. Citizens, the state-run insurer of last resort in Florida, is pursuing […]

Michael MolineSeptember 14, 2016

personal-injury-protection-insurance-auto-Large-3500x5000.jpg

Legislation targeting auto insurance fraud has produced savings on personal-injury claims of 17. 5 percent, and reduced premiums by a little more than 15 percent. Claim frequency and severity were reduced, too — by 10.2 percent and nearly 11 percent, respectively, producing a reduction in total loss costs of 20 percent. That compared to an […]

Michael MolineSeptember 14, 2016

The lights seem likely to stay on in Florida for the next 10 years, utility industry representatives told the Public Service Commission Wednesday. Reserve margins for the electricity supply should exceed 20 percent during that time, due to increased reliance on natural gas — projected to hold steady at 65 percent of supply. Renewable energy […]

Michael MolineSeptember 13, 2016

The Florida Public Service Commission delayed a vote Tuesday on whether to allow a private utility to boost rates so it can switch customers from the unpleasant-tasting, discolored, sediment-filled water it supplies, to cleaner water provided by Pasco County. Residents of the Summertree retirement community in New Port Richey and county officials objected to the proposed […]

Michael Moline
Michelin spotlights Miami's Sereia Portuguese seafood restaurant, one of six new eateries on the list.

Regulators approve 14.5 percent workers’ compensation premium hike

Citizens Insurance braces for third-party Hermine claims

Rick Scott, Legislature scolded over cuts to Enterprise Florida

Pam Bondi defends decision to take money from Donald Trump

Citizens Insurance wins 6.4 percent increase in property premiums

Assessing Hermine: Citizens Insurance pays $90,000 in storm claims

Insurer seeks 10 percent premium increase on home policies in Florida

No-fault insurance reforms appear to be lowering costs [updated]

Florida utilities keeping up with demand for electricity

PSC balks at water rate hike in Pasco County