Florida Gov. Crist Backs Insurance Commissioner McCarty Over Critic

Gov. Charlie Crist has rejected a state senator’s demand to fire Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty if he refuses to resign.

Crist said that McCarty has done a good job and should stay on.

McCarty is jointly appointed by the governor and Florida’s three Cabinet members, but Crist’s vote is required to hire or fire him.

Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, has complained that McCarty broke a promise to not recommend that Crist veto Bennett’s bill deregulating rates for consumers willing to pay more to highly capitalized insurers for property coverage.

McCarty criticized the bill (HB 1171) in a letter to Crist. The governor said he hasn’t yet made a decision but respects McCarty’s opinion.

Topics Florida