Whomever wins, would you PLEASE do something about your insurance department. They are among to most arrogant and difficult people to deal with. For a state with insurance companies sometimes fleeing the state, you would think there would be some sense of the business environment. Posessing the ability to deal fairly insurance companies does not hurt the consumer. Other states can maintain this balance, why can’t FL??
I don’t know if things will change as a result of these elections but the fact remains that the state doesn’t a rat’s behind about the insurance industry. It’s politically correct to bash the industry, especially publicly, because that’s what the voters want to hear. As for state employees, they don’t like their jobs and they don’t like the system they work in. They simply project that anger and frustration at anyone who calls. If it were up to me I’d can all of them and replace them with new people. Can’t be much worse than what we have right now.
You obviously don’t understand how things work. She’s not dumb enough to publicly attack the Insurance Commissioner. McCarty has a lot of connections and very solid support from some very prominent people. Also, Sink doesn’t have the authority to fire him.
FAIA knew what they could and couldn’t get with Sink. Scott was and still is a wild card. As a result, they backed the devil they knew as opposed to the big question mark. You can’t fault them here. Let’s just hope Scott sends McCarty packing and brings in someone who will work with insurance companies to find solutions instead of creating more problems.
The Florida Cabinet has the authority to appoint or fire the commissioner. The Cabinet is made up of the Governor, CFO, Attorney General and Agriculture Commissioner. The cabinet structure was changed about 10 years ago to reduce it to the 3 members plus the Governor. The rule also changed things in that the cabinet members were considered independent and as such not required to simply follow the Governor’s wishes.
To fire McCarty would require the Cabinet members to agree on the decision, and that hasn’t happened. Of course, with this election that might change. But I caution all those people who want him canned to be careful what they wish for. Like him or not, he’s incredibly smart and knows the insurance market very well. Replacing him with someone of equal smarts, knowledge and experience will be incredibly difficult.
The person in the best position to advocate for the firing of McCarty is the governor. With Scott and an all republican cabinet, it shouldn’t be too hard.
Advisor, a person can be as smart as they come but if they dont use any common sense then what does it matter what they know. Maybe they should give him a chance to clean up his mess immediately and if not, fire him.
“Commissioner Kevin McCarty could be in trouble in Florida. His appointment depends upon support from the next governor and one other member of the Florida Cabinet. His biggest backer, Gov. Charlie Crist, is running for U.S. Senate and Crist’s successor as governor will be either current CFO Alex Sink, a Democrat, or Republican Rick Scott, a healthcare executive. Scott is likely to want his own appointee in the commissioner post, and Sink is close with the state’s independent insurance agents lobby, whose leaders have had their differences with him.”
Will have to take your word for it. I searched the Palm Beach Post’s site (including archives) but couldn’t find anything connected to Scott getting rid of McCarty. If you have a link please post it.
Regardless, maybe Scott will and maybe he won’t. I hope he doesn’t but if he does I sure hope he has someone who truly has the qualifications. Time will tell.
Sorry Charlie, but Marco made a mockery of your BS run for Senate.
Regardless of your feelings on governor, it’s great to finally be rid of Charlie Crist!
She lost my vote when she replied to the Palm Beach Post questionnaire that she would NOT fire Kevin McCarty.
FAIA, how can you justify contributing $500,000 on her campaign? You won’t see any PAC $$$ from me anytime soon.
FAIA only spent $250,000 of its PAC money. The other $250,000 was a result of their direct solicitation from Florida Agents.
Whomever wins, would you PLEASE do something about your insurance department. They are among to most arrogant and difficult people to deal with. For a state with insurance companies sometimes fleeing the state, you would think there would be some sense of the business environment. Posessing the ability to deal fairly insurance companies does not hurt the consumer. Other states can maintain this balance, why can’t FL??
I don’t know if things will change as a result of these elections but the fact remains that the state doesn’t a rat’s behind about the insurance industry. It’s politically correct to bash the industry, especially publicly, because that’s what the voters want to hear. As for state employees, they don’t like their jobs and they don’t like the system they work in. They simply project that anger and frustration at anyone who calls. If it were up to me I’d can all of them and replace them with new people. Can’t be much worse than what we have right now.
You obviously don’t understand how things work. She’s not dumb enough to publicly attack the Insurance Commissioner. McCarty has a lot of connections and very solid support from some very prominent people. Also, Sink doesn’t have the authority to fire him.
Dear FAIA, would you please send me the PAC refund that I “foolishly” paid not too long ago?
I being the fool that I was had no idea my money would go to support Ms Sink which, well, sank.
Thanks,
Just Me
So educate me. Who DOES have the power to fire McCarty?
FAIA knew what they could and couldn’t get with Sink. Scott was and still is a wild card. As a result, they backed the devil they knew as opposed to the big question mark. You can’t fault them here. Let’s just hope Scott sends McCarty packing and brings in someone who will work with insurance companies to find solutions instead of creating more problems.
The Florida Cabinet has the authority to appoint or fire the commissioner. The Cabinet is made up of the Governor, CFO, Attorney General and Agriculture Commissioner. The cabinet structure was changed about 10 years ago to reduce it to the 3 members plus the Governor. The rule also changed things in that the cabinet members were considered independent and as such not required to simply follow the Governor’s wishes.
To fire McCarty would require the Cabinet members to agree on the decision, and that hasn’t happened. Of course, with this election that might change. But I caution all those people who want him canned to be careful what they wish for. Like him or not, he’s incredibly smart and knows the insurance market very well. Replacing him with someone of equal smarts, knowledge and experience will be incredibly difficult.
The person in the best position to advocate for the firing of McCarty is the governor. With Scott and an all republican cabinet, it shouldn’t be too hard.
Advisor, a person can be as smart as they come but if they dont use any common sense then what does it matter what they know. Maybe they should give him a chance to clean up his mess immediately and if not, fire him.
Mr. Solvent: Scott might advocate to get rid of him but I don’t know that I’d bet on Atwater or Putnam to go along with it.
Quoted from the Insurance Journal:
“Commissioner Kevin McCarty could be in trouble in Florida. His appointment depends upon support from the next governor and one other member of the Florida Cabinet. His biggest backer, Gov. Charlie Crist, is running for U.S. Senate and Crist’s successor as governor will be either current CFO Alex Sink, a Democrat, or Republican Rick Scott, a healthcare executive. Scott is likely to want his own appointee in the commissioner post, and Sink is close with the state’s independent insurance agents lobby, whose leaders have had their differences with him.”
Then follow the Florida statutes and administrative rules. Florida actually enforces insurance laws where other states don’t, duh.
Since Scott was elected it remains to be seen what he’ll do. I don’t believe he’s said as much publicly.
Oh but he did.
Rick Scott said he would when questioned by the Palm Beach Post. Alex Sink refused to answer the question.
Will have to take your word for it. I searched the Palm Beach Post’s site (including archives) but couldn’t find anything connected to Scott getting rid of McCarty. If you have a link please post it.
Regardless, maybe Scott will and maybe he won’t. I hope he doesn’t but if he does I sure hope he has someone who truly has the qualifications. Time will tell.