Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonJanuary 17, 2018

The Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee voted unanimously Tuesday for a bill by Sen. Lauren Book (SB 376) that would include in the Worker’s Compensation Law benefits for first responders who sustain mental or nervous injuries such as PTSD in the line of duty. The forward momentum for the bill got the attention of CFO […]

Staff ReportsNovember 10, 2017

The cost to buy worker’s compensation insurance is going down in the Sunshine State. Florida Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier on Thursday issued a final order granting approval to the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) for a statewide overall rate level decrease of 9.5 percent and premium level decrease of 9.8 percent, according to a press release. […]

Jim RosicaDecember 30, 2016

From algebra to Zika, 2016 brought a plethora of material to the Capitol Press Corps. Trying to pick the top state government stories is a subjective pursuit, to say the least, but here are the FloridaPolitics.com picks for the passing year. In (kind of) chronological order: — Kevin McCarty ousted as state Insurance Commissioner, replaced by […]

Staff ReportsOctober 5, 2016

NFIB/Florida Executive Director Bill Herrle on Wednesday criticized workers’ compensation insurers for pushing through a 14.5 percent rate increase this month. Herrle called the increase “massive” and said it would “undoubtedly hurt small businesses by threatening their ability to keep their doors open and employ Floridians.” The National Federation of Independent Business calls itself “the nation’s leading small-business advocacy group,” according […]

Staff ReportsJuly 28, 2016

The Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) business lobby is forming a “Florida Workers’ Compensation Strategic Task Force” after court decisions they said will collectively cost businesses in the hundreds of millions. The task force evolved from a series of “Helping Florida Work” town halls in Jacksonville, Tampa and Miami this summer “to foster ideas and […]

Jim RosicaJuly 22, 2016

An injured South Florida nurse who unsuccessfully challenged the state’s workers’ compensation system now wants the U.S. Supreme Court to take up the case. Daniel Stahl filed his petition Tuesday, court dockets show. The request has not yet been acted on. In April, the Florida Supreme Court decided not to consider Stahl’s case. After hearing arguments […]

Jim RosicaJuly 1, 2016

A request to increase worker’s compensation insurance rates has now gone up to nearly 20 percent, stoking ire from the state’s business lobby. The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI), an umbrella organization representing insurers, filed the request Friday with state insurance regulators. It blames recent state Supreme Court rulings for the hike. The Florida Chamber […]

Jim RosicaJune 21, 2016

The Morgan & Morgan law firm’s blog has opined on the state Supreme Court’s latest ruling on the state’s worker’s compensation law, calling it a “victory” for workers. An unsigned post appeared Monday; it was tweeted Tuesday. The firm, led by famed Orlando trial attorney John Morgan, has a bustling practice in worker’s comp applications and appeals. States […]

Jim RosicaJune 9, 2016

The state’s business lobbying groups called for legislative action Thursday after a Florida Supreme Court decision earlier that day on the worker’s compensation law. The court’s 5-2 ruling for injured St. Petersburg firefighter Bradley Westphal strikes down a provision in the law limiting the time that injured workers can get temporary disability benefits. (Story here.) Three justices, […]

Jim RosicaMay 31, 2016

The National Federation of Independent Business/Florida is adding its voice to the business groups decrying a proposed 17 percent hike in the cost of workers’ compensation insurance to employers. The rate increase “is a $623 million tax on workers in Florida that will go primarily to workers’ compensation attorneys,” NFIB/Florida Executive Director Bill Herrle said in […]

Tag: workers comp
Image via AP.

Capitol Reax: Workers’ comp, payday loans, vacation rentals, train safety, AOB

Workers’ comp costs going down

Jim Rosica’s review of top state government stories in 2016

Bill Herrle: Worker’s comp hike hurts small biz

AIF forms workers’ comp task force

Losing side in worker’s comp case appeals to U.S. Supreme Court

Florida Chamber warns of increasing worker’s comp rates

Morgan & Morgan chimes in on worker’s comp rulings

Business lobby upset over worker’s comp decision

NFIB/Florida joins groups opposed to workers’ comp hike