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Crist rejects appeals for PIP session
By TOM ZUCCO, Times Staff Writer
Published September 7, 2007
The postponement of a special legislative session scheduled for later this month to address the state's budget crisis would seem to spell the end of no-fault auto insurance in Florida, a law that has been on the books for 37 years. That's because lawmakers aren't scheduled to meet again until after Oct. 1, the date the no-fault law is set to expire.
But that didn't stop lawmakers from both parties from making last-minute appeals Thursday to Gov. Charlie Crist, asking for a one-day special session before the Oct. 1 deadline to extend no-fault one more year.
"All we need is one person to call a special session," Rep. Rick Kriseman, D-St. Petersburg, wrote to Crist, "and one day to pass it." Reps. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, and Joe Gibbons, D-Hallandale Beach, sent similar letters to the governor.
Kriseman said he and Rep. Evan Jenne, D-Dania Beach, have prepared a bill that would extend no-fault for a year so lawmakers can debate its merits during the 2008 legislative session. Kriseman said Sen. Ted Deutch, D-Delray Beach, intends to sponsor a companion bill in the Senate.
Crist said Thursday that he'd like to see the law extended, but the idea of another special session just for no-fault was impractical.
"The window seems to be closing on that," Crist said, "and the CFO and I, and the lieutenant governor, feel very strongly that extending it is important.
"But it doesn't look like there is a consensus on it, so we're not going to call people here to just spend taxpayer money and just do nothing."
If no-fault ends, drivers will no longer be required to carry a minimum of $10,000 of personal injury protection, also known as PIP, that covers medical expenses for a driver and passengers no matter who is at fault. To register a vehicle in Florida, drivers must still carry a minimum of $10,000 in property damage liability coverage.
Staff writer Jennifer Liberto contributed to this report.
[Last modified September 7, 2007, 06:44:29]
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Comments on this article
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by Jeff
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09/11/07 12:01 PM
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If the governor and the House and the Senate can't get together and work out PIP they should refund their salaries! This is the job they were hired to do.Talk about wasting the taxpayers money! Get this DONE...before it's too late!!!!!!!!!!!!
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by Chris
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09/08/07 10:50 AM
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SAVE PIP. Wake up Chuck! You are letting Rubio walk all over you. Do not allow big insurance abuse us!
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by Miike
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09/07/07 10:44 PM
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Charlie needs to drive the legislature and be the leader. I suspects he's only waiting for his hurricane to make that "sleeves-up" photo-op. He is really sucking at this governor thing.
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by mary
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09/07/07 08:27 PM
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Ever since he took office, Crist has been really very RASH with his decisions. He's really naive, stupid, or both. I'm not usually so outspoken, but he really seems unbalanced. I wish he could be impeached. And to think I used to BE a Repulican.
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by Tracy
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09/07/07 08:15 PM
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I have used my PIP insurance twice...both due to accidents that I DID NOT CAUSE. PIP allowed my children and I to receive the treatment we needed to help us heal that my health insurance would not cover (such as acupuncture and massage). What a shame
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by MARC
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09/07/07 03:40 PM
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WAIT UNTIL THE MEXICAN WITH NO INSURANCE REAR ENDS ME, I WILL SEND THE BILL TO CRIST AND THE WONDERFUL REPUBLICANS IN OUR LEGISLATOR
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by Ron
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09/07/07 02:22 PM
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Thanks Charlie for being such a great leader. If this is what we can expect for the rest of your term then I'll pack up now and leave before it really gets ugly. Jeb would be proud of the way you are carrying the torch for big business.
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by Jim
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09/07/07 12:34 PM
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The Governer needs to show leadership. It is clear that HOuse Speaker Rubio is the pocket of the insurance industry. The Gov needs to exert pressure on him to look out for the people and not STate Farm.
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by Christian
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09/07/07 12:32 PM
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Dear Jon,
I can tell you are very bright. Gov Crist should do what is practical: i.e., extend PIP another year so the legislature can deal with it next year
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by Marco
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09/07/07 12:26 PM
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Crist is a big jelly fish. He is allowing Rubio to walk all over him and Crist is hiding behind the legislators. The problem is he is supposed to be the leader. We need pip. If not we will all pay more. Big Insurance should not be trusted.
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by Tally Insider
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09/07/07 12:26 PM
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If they had 32 members, they could call a special session themselves.
Obviously they don't have even 32 votes to make this happen.
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by raymond
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09/07/07 11:32 AM
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How could a one day session be impractical?? This law is vital to the stability of this state right now. Im fine with reforming it in 2008 but to just let it expire is irresponsible.
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by LILA
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09/07/07 10:52 AM
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WHILE PIP IS TAKEN AWAY, THIS WILL DRIVE UP COSTS ON UNINSURED MOTORIST AND MEDICAL PAYMENTS COVERAGE.....AND FOR FLORIDA NOT TO HAVE MANDATORY BODILY INJURY COVERAGE IS ABSURD, WE ARE THE LAUGHING STATE OF THE UNION
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by tracy
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09/07/07 09:56 AM
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my agent told me that i am paying twice for insurance. we had no problems up north without pip w/ 40yrs driving.why should i have pip when i already have health ins?it should be up to me if i want it,not the state.
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by concerned Floridian
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09/07/07 09:56 AM
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How can you let PIP expire ? I thought being a Goverener of Florida was to keep the best interest for the state, not destroy it . You say you are for PIP , well do something about it !!!!
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by Jesse
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09/07/07 09:00 AM
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Well, most people don't have health insurance. So, when accidents occur, Sunstar, the hospitals and E.R. doctors will get the shaft. The patients will get sent to collections and have their credit ruined - All so we can save, literally, a few bucks.
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by Jon
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09/07/07 08:35 AM
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Im happy to not have one more bill to pay. Be a good driver and you dont need insurance. Even when accidents occur, I already have health insurance.
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by concerned
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09/07/07 07:27 AM
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http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/09-06-2007/0004658215&EDATE=
this says it all
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by Jennifer
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09/07/07 07:25 AM
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Florida will be the ONLY state where drivers do NOT have to have car insurance to cover their Bodies! Unbelievable. How can our Governor allow this? He blames the legislatures when they have told him to extend PIP for discussions. thanks charlie!
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by chris
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09/07/07 07:12 AM
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Dear Gov. Crist:
Wake up. You are the PEOPLES governor. You repeatedly state how much PIP is important for Floridians, but somehow have no backbone to do anything. The obvious thing to do is allow the legislature to come to a consensus. Wake up.
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