LMA NEWSLETTER April 8, 2019

A Spring Break Helping Hurricane Survivors

We are blessed to have made wonderful acquaintances over the years and one of those fine folks is Matt Stewart, a housing field coordinator with the U.S. Housing and Urban Development office (HUD) out of Jacksonville.  He and his dedicated team of colleagues have spent long days that have turned into long weeks and months, …

Projected Savings Required in Revamped AOB Bill

AOB abuse is costing $400 per Florida homeowner

The Florida House of Representatives on Wednesday will take up its version of Assignment of Benefits (AOB) reform which now includes a late amendment adding a data component to quantify future savings from reforms that would be passed along to consumers.  The bill goes farther than its …

Estimated Losses Rising in Hurricane Michael

Wildfires burn as the Governor blames Congress for inaction

Timber debris left behind by last October’s Hurricane Michael fueled a 600-acre wildfire last week in rural Bay County east of Panama City , in what state officials fear will be the first of many.  Governor DeSantis and Agriculture Commissioner Fried in separate visits to the …

Bill Watch

Week #5 of the Legislative Session

Assignment of Benefits (AOB) reform goes before the full House on Wednesday, as the Senate’s version goes through further review and vetting.  Both chambers will begin budget negotiations this sixth week.  Last week the House passed its $89.3 billion spending plan and the Senate passed its $90.3 billion plan.  …

New Miami Zoning Tackles Flooding

While new challenge mounts to NFIP rate plan

Lots of things are continuing to happen in the world of flood mitigation and insurance.  Miami has passed its first law designed to protect against sea level rise, Governor DeSantis this past week selected the state’s first Chief Science Officer to sort the myriad of climate data, …

Feds Wrap Various Florida Fraud Cases

From patient care, to testing, to pharmacy, we’ve got ‘em

News out of South Florida this week proves once again that healthcare fraud, especially involving Medicare, remains one of the most pervasive and lucrative of frauds to commit.  This week’s roundup includes a verdict in the fed’s largest healthcare fraud case ever brought and a …

Of Trade, Regulation & Growth

How Florida is and may fare under different practices

With Florida geographically at the crossroads of key Latin and South American trades routes, it’s not surprising to learn from a new study that about one out of five jobs in Florida is dependent on international trade.  New trade agreements, together with measures to reduce regulation …

Keeping It Special

The Special Olympics of Florida recently made two big announcements.  First, they have reached a milestone of 50,000 athletes that have participated in the Florida program since its 1972 inception.  Secondly, Orlando has been selected as the host of the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games.

A contingent of athletes and leaders was recently honored by …