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Insurance lobby not the problem

Insurance lobby not the problem 

Re: On the brink of economic disaster, guest column by state Sen. Mike Fasano, Dec. 5.

One couldn't help but notice that this was written by a typical Tallahassee politician who is now out of touch with his constituents.

The part that is most disturbing is when Sen. Mike Fasano states that the insurance lobby "managed to sneak language into the bill" (Senate Bill 1980).

If Fasano had any guts, he'd state the truth that most people are already aware of: Lobbyists don't write bills; Fasano's colleagues do. If Fasano had any guts, he'd reveal which one of his esteemed colleagues was responsible for "sneaking" that language into that bill. At least that way, the people who are going broke trying to pay for insurance would have the pleasure of knowing who they should tar and feather.

Lobbyists are not effective without the backing of politicians. If Fasano really wants to stand up for the people, he'd have the guts to make a final stand in his remaining time in Tallahassee and call out the politicians who refuse to fix the problem and instead side with the insurance lobby.

Unfortunately, we don't have anyone in Tallahassee willing to go to the mat for the people who elected them. This problem didn't start yesterday. It has festered for years, and we continue to hear nothing but talk without a viable, sustainable plan. Scott Factor, New Port Richey

Insurance issue not an easy fix

Citizens Property Insurance Corp. was created by the Florida Legislature to fill the void when private companies fled the homeowners insurance market because of catastrophic losses stemming from hurricane and sinkhole losses.

Citizens was designated as the insurer of last resort and, to use a metaphor, was portrayed as the cavalry riding to the rescue of the beleaguered homeowner.

That being the case, one would rationally conclude that free-market principles no longer governed the sale of policies written by Citizens, because it had no competition because of the voluntary withdrawal of the free enterprise carriers from the market, and that Citizens would be afforded all the latitude necessary to write cost-effective policies.

Paradoxically, however, Citizens was prevented from doing so because the insurance lobby influenced the Legislature to mandate that Citizens charge higher premiums than the AWOL private carriers would have hypothetically if they had remained in that market.

Moreover, Citizens also is required to include the cost of reinsurance in its premiums, which, in reality, it didn't have the remotest intention of purchasing.

To be certain, Citizens doesn't feel the need to buy reinsurance from private companies because, like all public or quasipublic entities, it will merely shift its deficits over to its policyholders in the form of increased premiums in the event that it experiences hurricane and sinkhole losses of the magnitude experienced in 2004 and 2005.

And while the special session Jan. 16 seems to be oriented toward repealing the mandate that Citizens charge policyholders for reinsurance, the fact is that the ultimate solution requires more profound analysis and action.

In that respect, a truly meaningful comprehensive plan should encompass more stringent land development measures and building codes. It might also require tax money to subsidize the homeowners of this state under specific instances if the need should arise to prevent large-scale housing losses that would threaten the public health, safety and welfare - and thus consequentially imperil the overall economy of Florida. Jack B. McPherson, New Port Richey

Home tour was outstanding

The 37th annual Dunedin Youth Guild Tour of Homes was Dec. 2. The tour supports the youth of our community by adopting classrooms, offering college scholarships and donating to various youth activities.

Our chairwoman this year was Becky Eggers. She, along with her hard-working, talented committee presented an outstanding tour. We are also thankful for the media and its excellent coverage of our event.

This event could not have been accomplished without the generosity of our homeowners. Five gracious homeowners opened their homes to the community to tour. Each home was spiritedly decorated and charming. We were given the opportunity to experience the talents and traditions of each of these families.

At the J. C. Weaver home, J.C. greeted his guests with miniconcerts along with a tour of his waterfront home. The Guziks' lakeside home was a showcase of Johanna's paintings and talents. The Stevens' home gave us a creative look at the "12 Days of Christmas" hidden throughout. The Beaty family shared its collection of animated Christmas decorations from many years of happy holidays. At the Giglio home, we enjoyed seeing the beautifully decorated, spacious home with a tropical flare.

We appreciate each of these families and all that they have done to help the Dunedin Youth Guild help the youth of Dunedin and its surrounding community.

Remember to mark your calendar for the first Saturday of December 2007 for the next Tour of Homes. Gina Massotto, Dunedin Youth Guild president

EDITOR'S NOTE: A letter to the editor printed on this page Wednesday accused the city of Clearwater of destroying the David Martin Soccer Complex to build a drainage project and not naming the new soccer complex across the street for the 16-year-old Clearwater resident killed in a 1985 traffic accident.

City officials notified the Times Wednesday that the new soccer fields on Court Street in fact were dedicated in memory of David Martin and the Martin family attended the rededication.

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[Last modified December 7, 2006, 06:53:49]