Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonOctober 27, 2015

Whether insurance policy prices should be set through government regulation or left to market forces was the hot topic Tuesday for a panel of top insurance minds. “When you look at the program of protecting coastal properties, it’s been an absolute failure,” said Steven Pociask, who runs the American Consumer Institute for Citizen Research. “It […]

Ryan RayOctober 27, 2015

It’s no fun when the federal government gets involved in setting insurance rates, a panel of experts told the crowd at the Florida Chamber of Commerce’s annual Insurance Summit – and it’s even worse when international authorities get involved. John Fitts, Deputy General Counsel for Progressive‘s Legislative & Regulatory Affairs department, likened the possible entry […]

Phil AmmannOctober 27, 2015

Florida’s economy is expected to remain strong for the next three years, boosted by steady population growth and healthy tourism. The good economic news for the Sunshine State came through its annual financial checkup Tuesday morning at the Florida Chamber of Commerce Insurance Summit taking place in Orlando. Providing the update was a presentation by […]

Ryan RayOctober 27, 2015

Opening the Florida Chamber’s annual Insurance Summit in Orlando, Chamber CEO Mark Wilson told the assembled crowd of insurance agents and industry advocates that a nasty battle is brewing between insurers and “billboard trial lawyers” – and that he intends to help insurers win. Speaking in Central Florida, which he said leads the world in advertisements for […]

Ryan RayOctober 27, 2015

CFO Jeff Atwater kicked off the Florida Chamber of Commerce‘s annual Insurance Summit convention in Orlando Monday with a message of optimism Citing a list of past successes for state insurers including reforms to the state workers’ compensation regime back in 2003 (“I thought that was a busy summer!” he noted wryly, referring to the Tallahassee budget travails of this year), Atwater told the […]

Peter SchorschOctober 26, 2015

The Florida Chamber of Commerce’s annual Insurance Summit begins Monday in Orlando. On the agenda will be discussion of Assignment of Benefits (AOB), a long-used legal device meant to allow vendors to get paid promptly for emergency repairs to a home without having to get the policyholder directly involved. The problem is it has become a growing insurance scam, in which […]

Jim RosicaOctober 21, 2015

Andy Gonzalez knows fundraising. He’s director of political development at the Florida Chamber of Commerce, where he “coordinates fundraising efforts for the Florida Chamber’s Political Action Committees (PACs).” Gonzalez “works to ensure Floridians continue to elect pro-business, pro-jobs leaders with clear positions on job creation and economic growth,” the Chamber’s website says. Before that, he was was […]

Jim RosicaOctober 15, 2015

Two Tampa Bay-area lawmakers have filed legislation in both chambers to boost the state’s research and development, or R&D, tax credit. State Sen. Jeff Brandes, a St. Petersburg Republican, and state Rep. Ed Narain, a Tampa Democrat, filed the identical bills (SB 508/HB 311) earlier this week. The bill is a priority of the Florida Chamber of […]

Mitch PerryOctober 6, 2015

Floridians for Solar Choice, one of two groups fighting to put a constitutional amendment proposal regarding solar power on the 2016 ballot, received an endorsement Tuesday from the Florida Wildlife Federation, the statewide organization working to protect the Sunshine State’s wildlife for nearly 80 years. “The Florida Wildlife Federation Board of Directors recently voted to support […]

Peter SchorschOctober 1, 2015

Imagine you are a well-heeled, card-carrying member of Florida’s Republican establishment. It’s already a difficult election cycle with your having to choose between supporting Jeb Bush or Marco Rubio for president. Now, because of Jeff Atwater, your election cycle just became even more difficult. After FloridaPoltics.com first reported that the Florida Chamber of Commerce has poll numbers showing […]

Tag: Florida Chamber of Commerce
Mario Cristobal. Image via AP.

Florida Chamber Summit debates who should set insurance policy rates

HUD rulemaking, international capital dominate federal insurance panel at Florida Chamber summit

Florida Chamber Summit forecasts state’s economy to remain strong for next three years

Mark Wilson says assignment of benefits next big Florida Chamber insurance priority

Jeff Atwater kicks-off Florida Chamber’s Insurance Summit with message of optimism

Florida Chamber’s Insurance Summit starts today

Meet Andy Gonzalez, one of the “30 Under 30” rising stars of Florida politics

Lawmakers move to increase R & D tax credit

Florida Wildlife Federation endorses Floridians for Solar Choice constitutional amendment

Peter Schorsch: Jeff Atwater’s ‘to run or not to run’ peeves the Florida Republican establishment