Articles by Brendan Farrington

Florida’s Ex-Republican Governor Crist Eyes Return as Democrat

Former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, who was elected the state’s chief executive as a Republican and then ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate as an independent, has announced that he’s switching to the Democratic Party. Crist revealed his long-anticipated conversion …

Sen. Rubio: 100% of BP Fines Should Go to Gulf States

Sen. Marco Rubio, R.-Florida, said he opposes a plan that would give Gulf coast states 80 percent of the fines stemming from the 2010 oil spill because the other 20 percent will be cut up and spent elsewhere, a position …

Obama’s Grabs Florida’s Fugate to Head FEMA

Florida emergency manager Craig Fugate would bring a lot with him if he takes over the Federal Emergency Management Agency: plenty of hurricane experience, a blunt style, and a belief that preparation begins on the local level. Former Gov. Jeb …

Democrats Accuse Sen. Martinez of Not Pushing Catastrophe Fund Bill

Republican Sen. Mel Martinez of Florida is in a position to help move along a bill that could lower property insurance rates in disaster-prone states, but hasn’t been aggressive enough in doing so, said the two Democratic House members sponsoring …

Sen. Martinez Denies He’s Obstacle to Catastrophe Fund Bill

Republican Sen. Mel Martinez of Florida is in a position to help move along a bill that could lower property insurance rates in disaster-prone states, but hasn’t been aggressive enough in doing so, said the two Democratic House members sponsoring …

Republican Giuliani Tells Fla. He Backs National Catastrophe Plan

Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani said that his experience as New York City’s mayor during the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks is a big reason why he supports a national insurance backup fund. “Maybe I feel more strongly about this …

La. and Fla. Governors to Work Jointly on Insurance, Other Issues

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist and Gov.-elect Bobby Jindal met in Baton Rouge, La., on Dec. 12 as new allies on issues like insurance, ethics, the environment and alternative energy. Crist, who has made insurance and environmental issues priorities since taking …

Fla. Drivers Told Property Damage Liability Still Needed If No-Fault Expires

Florida drivers will still need to purchase property damage liability insurance even if the state’s no-fault insurance system disappears Oct. 1, a lawyer for the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles said. But the department’s executive director questions whether …

U.S. House Bill Seeks to Stabilize Property Insurance Market

The chairman of the U.S. House Financial Services committee promised to quickly take up a bill seeking to stabilize the property insurance market in disaster-prone areas. The bill, introduced last week and prepared by Democratic Florida Reps. Ron Klein and …

National Cat Fund Gains Congressional Support … But Is It Enough?

Unlike Florida’s Capitol in Tallahassee, where lawmakers have taken a number of actions to address the state’s insurance crisis with arguable results, solutions at the federal level have been hard to come by. Not long after Hurricane Andrew smashed through …