Florida’s new property insurance changes should help, but not right away, says report

“The five largest national homeowners insurers account for over 50% of the U.S. market outside of Florida, but just 15% of the market in Florida…”

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida December 22, 2022August 3, 2023

News & Views

Federal judge will hear lawsuit over Florida’s ‘intellectual diversity’ college campus surveys

Under the law (HB 233), annual surveys began this spring about “intellectual freedom and viewpoint diversity” at colleges and universities.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida December 21, 2022July 19, 2025

News & Views

‘This is a union-busting bill’: Florida Gov. DeSantis targets teacher union dues in new legislative session

The proposals have drawn fierce opposition from unions and Democrats, as such changes could make it harder for unions to get funded.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida December 20, 2022April 14, 2024

News & Views

Florida’s insurance commissioner resigns amid state’s property insurance crisis

Altmaier, who made the resignation effective Dec. 28, has been Florida’s top insurance regulator since 2016.

by Jim Turner, Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida December 16, 2022April 12, 2025

News & Views

Ten major issues in Florida’s recent property insurance overhaul

The bill (SB 2-A) deals with numerous issues, including lawsuits, the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp. and critical reinsurance coverage

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida December 15, 2022September 19, 2024

News & Views

Florida lawmakers pass legislation to overhaul state’s struggling property insurance system

“We are giving a gift to the insurance companies, and we are punishing the homeowners.”

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida December 14, 2022August 19, 2023

News & Views

‘This bill gives Goliath a better helmet’: Sides battle over Florida property insurance changes

Lawmakers held a special session in May to grapple with property insurance, but problems have persisted.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida December 13, 2022August 3, 2023

News & Views

Florida lawmakers outline potential changes to state’s troubled property-insurance system

Citizens, which was created as an insurer of last resort, has seen its policy count more than double to 1.13 million.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida December 12, 2022August 3, 2023

News & Views

Florida grand jury wants tougher law against smuggling immigrants

“While state and local law enforcement agencies have done their best to combat this escalating threat, it is clear that more needs to be done.”

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida December 9, 2022August 3, 2023

News & Views

Citing increased fuel costs, TECO rates will increase by 10 percent this January

They likely will increase again in the spring because of high costs of natural gas used to fuel power plants.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida December 7, 2022June 2, 2025

News & Views

As property insurance crisis grows, Florida leaders will consider new reforms at upcoming session

Detailed bills have not been released for the special session, which will start Monday.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida December 6, 2022July 9, 2025

News & Views

Judge rejects Moms for Liberty lawsuit against Florida school board

“It allows the (school board) chair to interrupt speech only when it is ‘too lengthy, personally directed, abusive, obscene, or irrelevant.”

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida November 28, 2022June 21, 2024

News & Views

Higher prices and tighter restrictions will only add to Florida’s property insurance crisis in 2023, says report

Reinsurance costs and availability were a problem in the Florida market before Ian.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida November 23, 2022December 4, 2023

News & Views

Citizens, Florida’s property insurance of last resort, now estimates Hurricane Ian damages to be nearly $4 billion

Citizens last month projected its expenses at $2.3 billion to $2.6 billion from the Category 4 hurricane.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida November 15, 2022August 3, 2023

News & Views

Subpoena seeks documents from consultant and Judicial Watch attorney in Florida redistricting lawsuit

The plaintiffs filed the lawsuit in April, alleging that the redistricting plan violates a 2010 “Fair Districts” constitutional amendment.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida November 15, 2022June 25, 2025

News & Views

10 takeaways from Florida GOP’s historic ass kicking last night

Call it what you will, Republicans overwhelmed Democrats in Tuesday’s elections in Florida.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida November 9, 2022September 5, 2023

News & Views

Florida Republicans pummel Democrats in state house races, and now hold a historic majority

Republican Danny Alvarez defeated Rep. Andrew Learned, D-Brandon, in Hillsborough County’s District 69.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida November 9, 2022January 18, 2024

News & Views

Florida voters reject midterm constitutional amendments

The proposals, put on the ballot by the Legislature, needed support from 60 percent of voters to pass.

by Jim Saunders, Jim Turner and News Service of Florida November 9, 2022August 3, 2023

News & Views

Leaking septic tanks are killing Florida manatees, alleges new lawsuit

The lawsuit alleges that nitrogen discharged from septic tanks and sewage-treatment plants has led to algae blooms that have destroyed seagrass beds.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida November 8, 2022July 4, 2025

News & Views

Second lawsuit refiled against Florida’s so-called ‘don’t say gay’ law

Republican lawmakers this year titled the measure the “Parental Rights in Education” bill.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida November 7, 2022January 26, 2024