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

Michael MolineOctober 31, 2018

You can’t buy workers’ compensation insurance to cover an injury that has already happened, a state appeals court ruled Wednesday. “Uninsured persons cannot experience a loss, then scramble to get insurance and fail to disclose their loss, and then have the cost of their loss borne by the new insurer,” Judge Timothy Osterhaus wrote for a […]

Michael MolineOctober 31, 2018

Gov. Rick Scott has asked the Florida Supreme Court to reconsider allowing him to begin screening replacements for three of its justices, arguing the court may have “misapprehended” his arguments that he holds that authority. The court issued an order Oct. 15 declaring that only the next Governor has the authority to replace Justices R. Fred Lewis, Peggy A. […]

Michael MolineOctober 30, 2018

Gulf Power Co. will return $9.6 million in its savings from the 2017 federal tax cuts under a deal the Public Service Commission approved Tuesday. The “flow-back,” effective Jan. 1, follows more than $103 million in tax savings the company already began returning to its ratepayers. The settlement followed negotiations between Gulf Power, the Office of […]

Michael MolineOctober 29, 2018

The Public Service Commission approved a deal Monday that allows Tampa Electric Co. to build five solar-generating plants and pass along the $46 million tab to its ratepayers. The hit to the average homeowner will be $2.46 cents, effective on Jan. 1. Customers would be entitled to refunds if any of the projects are delayed. Under […]

Michael MolineOctober 29, 2018

A state appeals court has overruled a Tallahassee trial judge who ordered Gov. Rick Scott to disclose details of his official and campaign schedules, ordering that judge to first review the material privately. State law clearly requires such “in camera” scrutiny of the disputed material, a unanimous three-judge panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal […]

Michael MolineOctober 25, 2018

The Florida Supreme Court, as promised, issued its written decision explaining why it allowed the Constitution Revision Commission’s victims’ rights amendment on the Nov. 6 ballot — and the majority swept aside complaints the ballot language is misleading. ”In this case, the ballot title and summary comply with the statutory word limitations. Additionally, the title and […]

Michael MolineOctober 19, 2018

The Florida Supreme Court has explained why it removed Dana Marie Santino from the Palm Beach County trial bench — and it looks like the days when judges could remain on the bench notwithstanding egregious campaign ethics violations are over. The high court stripped Santino of office in July amid complaints she’d engaged in ugly, “Donald Trump-like” […]

Michael MolineOctober 18, 2018

A citizens group challenging the takeover of Vero Beach’s electric utility by Florida Power & Light Co. questioned the accounting underlying the deal Thursday as hearings opened before the Public Service Commission. The commission has already preliminarily OK’d the transfer — that happened on July 2. Thursday’s hearing centered on the Civic Association of Indian River […]

Michael MolineOctober 17, 2018

The Florida Supreme Court on Wednesday cleared three proposed constitutional amendments for the Nov. 6 ballot, narrowly rejecting a challenge by retired Supreme Court Justice Harry Lee Anstead that they improperly bundled multiple items. In an unsigned opinion, the majority ruled that the Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) was within its authority under state law, and the state […]

Michael MolineOctober 16, 2018

Hermine — $139 million. Matthew — $1.2 billion. Irma — 10.4 billion. Michael — who knows at this stage, but last week’s Category 4 hurricane, the most powerful storm to hit the Florida Panhandle in recorded history, will wind up costing the insurance companies plenty. Still, Florida’s industry — uniquely dominated by smaller players since […]

Michael Moline
Donald Trump and Linda McMahon. Image via AP.

Court rejects attempt to backdate workers’ compensation policy

Rick Scott seeks another shot at screening Supreme Court nominees

Regulators OK Gulf Power plan to share tax savings with customers

Tampa Electric wins PSC clearance for solar power projects

Appeals court orders judge to review Rick Scott records

Supreme Court explains its OK of victims’ rights ballot language

Florida Supreme Court cracking down on judicial campaign misconduct

PSC opens fresh hearings into sale of Vero Beach’s municipal utility to FPL

Justices OK ‘bundling,’ amendments will go to voters

Demotech’s Joseph Petrelli says insurers can cover Hurricane Michael claims