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Florida lawmakers to tackle property insurance crisis in special session

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Florida lawmakers to tackle property insurance crisis in special session


With Florida’s property-insurance system in turmoil, state lawmakers might be poised to take main steps to attempt to stabilize the market throughout a particular legislative session subsequent week.

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Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, and Home Speaker Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast, launched a proper session proclamation Tuesday that indicated lawmakers will think about a collection of hot-button insurance coverage points.

These points embody making an attempt to curb prices of lawsuits over insurance coverage claims; boosting the supply of important reinsurance; limiting a long-controversial follow generally known as task of advantages; and bolstering the monetary stability of the state-backed Residents Property Insurance coverage Corp.

Detailed payments haven’t been launched for the particular session, which is able to begin Monday.

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READ: That is how a lot cash you might want to make to be completely satisfied dwelling in Florida

Throughout a information convention final month, Renner stated lawmakers will take a look at a “kitchen sink of choices” to attempt to stabilize the market and develop non-public protection. However he additionally cautioned that no matter modifications the Legislature makes through the particular session won’t result in quick charge reductions for customers.

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The proclamation Tuesday additionally stated lawmakers will take up proposals to offer tax aid and different help to individuals who sustained harm in Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Nicole. Additionally they will think about a precedence of Gov. Ron DeSantis to offer invoice credit for motorists who often use toll roads.

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MORE: North Port resident nonetheless ready on insurance coverage firm after Hurricane Ian causes main harm to house

“As outlined within the proclamation, we are going to think about additional reforms to make sure Floridians have entry to dependable and inexpensive property insurance coverage, laws that gives property tax aid to Floridians whose properties are uninhabitable because of latest hurricanes, and laws that establishes a statewide toll credit score program for frequent Florida commuters,” Passidomo wrote Tuesday in a memo to senators.

Personal insurers have shed tons of of 1000’s of insurance policies and sought giant charge will increase through the previous two years due to monetary issues. Six insurers have been declared bancrupt this 12 months.

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Hurricane Ian had most sustained winds of 150 mph, tying the report for the fifth-strongest hurricane on report to strike america.

In the meantime, Residents, which was created as an insurer of final resort, has seen its variety of insurance policies soar to greater than 1.13 million as of Friday. State leaders have lengthy sought to maintain insurance policies within the non-public market, not less than partially due to monetary dangers to Residents from main hurricanes.

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Lawmakers held a particular session in Might to attempt to stabilize the market, however issues have persevered. Among the many steps that lawmakers took through the Might session was to offer $2 billion for reinsurance, which is basically backup protection that insurers must deal with giant quantities of claims.

In the course of the information convention final month, Renner indicated lawmakers might think about tapping state reserves to assist with reinsurance. Renner, nevertheless, stated he didn’t wish to make a “long-term dedication to underwrite insurance coverage.”

A day after Renner’s Nov,. 22 information convention, Fitch Rankings launched an evaluation that stated total reinsurance costs are anticipated to extend by greater than 10 % in 2023, pointing to losses from disasters comparable to Hurricane Ian and “growing frequency and severity of pure disaster claims.”

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Fitch additionally stated it expects tighter restrictions when reinsurance insurance policies are renewed in 2023, whereas elevating the likelihood that Florida property insurers will be unable to purchase the entire reinsurance they want.

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“Nonetheless, we imagine demand for property disaster reinsurance through the 2023 renewals season shall be broadly met, apart from Florida,” the evaluation stated.

Maybe the noisiest problem of the particular session will give attention to limiting litigation prices and, significantly, whether or not to alter a regulation that usually results in insurers paying the charges of plaintiffs’ attorneys. The insurance coverage business blames lawsuits for a lot of of its issues, whereas plaintiffs’ attorneys argue litigation helps maintain insurers accountable for correctly paying buyer claims.

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A associated problem is task of advantages, which is a follow that entails policyholders signing over claims to contractors, who then pursue funds from insurers. The business argues that task of advantages results in expensive litigation.



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Florida

Recreational pot for Florida is on the ballot this fall—let’s talk about it

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Recreational pot for Florida is on the ballot this fall—let’s talk about it


Carlos Hermida (R) at the WMNF studio in Tampa, Florida on July 5, 2024.

In four months, Florida voters have the opportunity to vote yes or no on an initiative to legalize marijuana for adults 21 years old and older.

Amendment 3 would also allow individuals to possess up to three ounces of marijuana, with up to five grams in the form of concentrate (see full text of the ballot amendment below).

Allows adults 21 years or older to possess, purchase, or use marijuana products and marijuana accessories for non-medical personal consumption by smoking, ingestion, or otherwise; allows Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers, and other state licensed entities, to acquire, cultivate, process, manufacture, sell, and distribute such products and accessories. Applies to Florida law; does not change, or immunize violations of, federal law. Establishes possession limits for personal use. Allows consistent legislation. Defines terms. Provides effective date.

The amendment—which can only pass if at least 60% of voters vote “yes”—arrives eight years after Florida voters approved the use of medical marijuana in the state.

Supporters of the bill include Smart & Safe Florida and billboard-dominating lawyer John Morgan, citing potential tax revenue and safety for purchasers who won’t have to buy weed from un-regulated sources.

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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, for his part, has vowed to fight the passage of Amendment 3, and said, “we cannot have every town smelling like marijuana.”

Three guests joined The Skinny to discuss Amendment 3 and more.

  • Carlos Hermida Founder of Chillum Mushroom & Hemp
  • Christopher Cano Board of Directors at NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws)
  • Pete Sessa Co-Founder of Cannadelic and the Florida Cannabis Coalition

Check out audio from the show via wmnf.org. Listen via podcast services like Apple Music, TuneIn, and Spotify.





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Florida Gators Offense set to Shine in 2024

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Florida Gators Offense set to Shine in 2024


Regardless of what happens to the Florida Gators during the 2024 season, you cannot blame scheme design at all. In a world of copycat offenses, Billy Napier decided to take an existing offense in the spread and tweak the finer details. As a result, Florida can affect every level and layer of defense. 

With that, and the numerous personnel shifts, Napier goes deep in his bag to keep the defense guessing. To a distant eye, the defense looks like just a quarterback-friendly scheme that only suits the passer. Yet, the Gators effectively ran the ball under Napier. Now, what can you expect in 2024 from the Florida offense?

Urgency

Make no mistake, the heat of the Florida sun combined with the warmness of the coaching seat exists in earnest for Billy Napier. Florida fans, alums, and administration demand excellence from a program that should always compete for great bowl games and more.

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With hundreds of quality recruits in Florida, the Gators cannot afford another poor showing on the field after three-straight seven-loss seasons. Actually, Billy Napier cannot afford another. Not only are the wolves at the door, but they’ve managed to pick the lock and make themselves at home in the living room. With that, expect to see Florida take more chances this season. 

Granted, before this, Napier didn’t exude any conservative play-calling tendencies. Envision the scene in Rocky III. After intense training, Rocky wants to stop for the day, mentioning the word tomorrow. Apollo Creed’s response is “There is no tomorrow.” Basically, for Billy Napier, every game will either cement his status or weaken it.

Secret Weapon

When reviewing Florida on offense, you can immediately tell that Billy Napier loves 12 personnel. Basically, 12 personnel feature one running back and two tight ends. Now, add in shotgun and playmakers that can catch. 

More importantly, the players that may not draw the defense’s attention could end up hurting them the most. For example, redshirt sophomore tight end Arlis Boardingham will continue to beat defenses while not receiving an overabundance of targets.

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Boardingham, a converted wideout, continues to find his way into the position. For the moment, he presents an explosive receiver-like to the offense, in lieu of crushing in-line blocking. Instead, Boardingham traces routes underneath with the ability to stick the foot in the ground and head downfield.  While the receivers will see the most targets, look for him to sneak out and wreak havoc in the open field.

Beneficiary

Perhaps no one will reap the rewards more than running back Montrell Johnson. Despite leading the team in yards and carries, Johnson will enjoy more touches since Trevor Etienne bolted for Athens and the University of Georgia. 

He should post the first thousand-yard season for the Gators since Kelvin Taylor in 2015. Along with the use of 12 personnel, Florida will throw multiple looks at the defense, with the intention of creating space for the run game. With Johnson’s decisiveness as a running back, he should eclipse the thousand-yard mark with a few games to spare.

Graham Mertz returns as quarterback, and he had his best season under Napier and the Gators after four yeas at Wisconsin. Last year’s prized recruit DJ Lagway should find his way on the field as well, but Napier, Mertz, and the Gators should conduct an efficient, effective offense this fall.

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Ohio tourist bitten by shark at Florida beach while playing football in knee-deep water

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Ohio tourist bitten by shark at Florida beach while playing football in knee-deep water


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An Ohio tourist was bitten at a Florida beach while playing football in knee-deep water on the Fourth of July, officials said.

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Authorities said that the 21-year-old from Ohio was playing football in knee-deep water at New Smyrna Beach when the shark bit him on his right foot.

Police said that the attack happened at 4 p.m. on Thursday – the Fourth of July.

The man suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to the hospital for treatment.

SHARK ATTACKS 4 PEOPLE AT TEXAS BEACH ON FOURTH OF JULY: POLICE

General view of New Smyrna Beach, Florida, during spring break Saturday, March 16, 2024. (Larry Paci for Fox News Digital)

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The Fourth of July shark attack came after four people were injured at a beach in Texas the same day.

The South Padre Island Police Department and the U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area confirmed to Fox News Digital that four people were injured during the encounter with the ocean predator on South Padre Island in the state’s southern coast.

SHARK WATCH: TRIATHLETE DRAGGED UNDERWATER DURING SHARK BLITZ: ‘YOU DON’T HAVE AN ARM… WHY ARE YOU LAUGHING?’

Police said that the attacks happened at approximately 11 a.m. local time along Beach Access 14, near Wanna Wanna Beach Bar and Grill.

Tiger Shark, Bahamas

Tiger Shark, Galeocerdo cuvier, Bahamas, Grand Bahama Island, Atlantic Ocean   (Photo by Reinhard Dirscherl/ullstein bild via Getty Images)

The shark encounter with the 21-year-old comes after Florida was recently named the shark capital of the world.

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The Florida Museum of Natural History’s International Shark Attack File found the most unprovoked shark attacks in the world in the Sunshine State, specifically in Volusia County, where there have been 351 attacks since 1882. 

Fox News Digital’s Ashlyn Messier contributed to this report.



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