Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonMarch 30, 2016

Two Orlando residents accused of siphoning thousands in food stamp benefits from the government were arrested by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office Wednesday, Florida chief financial officer Jeff Atwater announced. “Today, two criminals found themselves exactly where they belong, and that’s behind bars,” Atwater said. “By stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars in public assistance […]

Guest AuthorMarch 8, 2016

Each Legislative Session brings a cadre of bills, usually touted as consumer-friendly measures, that on the surface sound like good-government laws. In reality, such bills often have unintended consequences that should be exposed for consumer protection reasons. Companions House Bill 1041 and Senate Bill 966, related to unclaimed property, form one such example of state […]

Phil AmmannMarch 7, 2016

An amended version of a bill reforming several laws and policies at the Department of Financial Services passed the Senate unanimously. LobbyTools reports that HB 651 is now headed back to the House. The bill, in part, creates a new grant program for volunteer fire departments and specifies that employees of state universities, special districts […]

Phil AmmannMarch 3, 2016

A bill making sweeping changes to the Department of Financial Services is heading to the Senate Thursday after passing the House floor 114 to 1. In addition to rewriting a variety of regulations, HB 651, from Monticello Republican Rep. Halsey Beshears, also establishes or alters numerous DFS programs, reports LobbyTools. Among the changes, the bill […]

Peter SchorschMarch 1, 2016

What do you do when you are asked to carry the water for a colleague running for the Florida Senate, who is looking to curry favor with a large business in his district by requesting funding for a line item nobody asked for, the state doesn’t need, and the Senate vehemently opposes? You do what […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 24, 2016

A bill that would require insurers to take a more proactive stance on paying out life insurance benefits cleared the Senate Wednesday with a unanimous vote. SB 966, sponsored by Fort Myers Republican Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto, would require insurers to compare their policy rolls with the Social Security Administration’s Death Master File and payout benefits. Current law allows […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 18, 2016

A pair of bills making way through both the House and Senate this week seek to make wide-ranging changes to the Department of Financial Services. Among the changes, according to LobbyTools, include the establishment of new public employee programs as well as modifying several existing programs, insurance regulations, fire codes and others. For fire departments, House […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 17, 2016

As reported by FloridaPolitics.com earlier this week, the pool of applicants to replace outgoing Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty is so far anything but impressive. The applicant list stands at 32 interested parties, yet only three appear to be eligible based on the state’s pre-screening questions. On Tuesday, we learned that former Rep. Tom Grady would not be applying […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 7, 2016

Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater says he’s “championing” bills this legislative session in three policy areas: Life insurance, divestment from Iran and medical billing. Atwater, first elected in 2010, laid out his priorities in an email sent Wednesday. Life insurance: Atwater wants to “ensure that insurance companies will utilize current technology and public information that will assist […]

Drew WilsonNovember 26, 2015

The days after Thanksgiving have become the top shopping weekend of the year for many retailers and the National Retail Federation expects more than 135 million Americans will shop retail deals over the holiday weekend. While Black Friday deals may be enticing, Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater and the Department of Financial Services say […]

Tag: Department of Financial Services

Jeff Atwater announces “Cash for Cards” food stamp fraud operation

Paul Sanford: Governor should veto state money-grab legislation

Senate passes reforms for Department of Financial Services

House passes sweeping reforms to Department of Financial Services

Jeanette Núñez’s terrible, horrible, no good, very bad, budget conference

Senate passes Lizbeth Benacquisto bill to reform life insurance payouts

House, Senate bills seek broad changes to Department of Financial Services

Bryan Nelson for Insurance Commissioner? Not so fast

Jeff Atwater lays out legislative wish list

CFO Jeff Atwater reminds consumers to plan before braving Black Friday crowds