No more caving to deep-pocket special interests at the expense of ordinary Floridians. That’s our message to Gov. Charlie Crist, who last week signed into law a bill gutting growth management laws that require builders to pay their fair share for roads — forcing the costs on taxpayers down the line. He’s now studying a bill that would deregulate some premiums for property insurance, and at last report is leaning toward a veto.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Two of Florida’s leading consumer advocacy organizations released results from a statewide poll today showing a majority of Florida families are not prepared to pay unexpected out-of-pocket medical costs. These results underscore the dire consequences of SB 1122, a bad bill pending before Gov. Crist to allow more health care providers to “balance bill” patients and demand out-of-pocket charges for medical care that a patient’s health plan has already paid for.

TALLAHASSEE -The Consumer Federation of the Southeast and Florida Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) today warned that the Residential Property Insurance bill (HB 1171), would create the same dangerous deregulated environment that led to the collapse of the nation’s financial markets by allowing the largest insurance companies to raise rates without State approval. If it becomes law, this bill would allow major property insurance carriers to raise rates unchecked and game the marketplace to push the highest-risk customers onto Citizens … →

TALLAHASSEE-Florida’s Insurance Consumer Advocate, Sean Shaw, sent a letter to Governor Charlie Crist today urging him to veto SB 1122, managed care legislation. “Allowing SB 1122 to become law would be a backward step from attempts to corral the spiraling cost of health care and more specifically, the direct cost to consumers,” Shaw said. “Florida would be heading in the wrong direction and at the wrong time.”

TALLAHASSEE – Just weeks away from the start of hurricane season, Florida’s independent insurance agents and a leading consumer advocate warn that Florida’s perilous property insurance market puts homeowners at serious financial risk and that Florida is “one storm away from disaster.” Speaking for Florida’s 2,000 independent insurance agencies, which represent all but a handful of the companies writing residential coverage, Florida Association of Insurance Agents’ President Jeff Grady said, “In pursuit of artificially low rates, Florida has created a … →

JACKSONVILLE, FL – Residents from a small, crumbling neighborhood in Port St. Joe, Florida, today rallied outside the St. Joe Company’s annual shareholder’s meeting at its headquarters in Jacksonville. The residents are demanding justice from the company that two decades ago deceptively sold them wetland lots that St. Joe had filled with mill waste and pine bark as home sites.

The Florida Legislature is poised to pass the biggest threat to consumers this year: a bill that serves no purpose but to drive up health care costs for patients, employers and taxpayers. SB1122/HB 855 would destroy PPO networks and raise health care costs SB 1122/HB 855 is a prescription for a disaster for Florida patients and taxpayers. Patients who go to a doctor for medical care and are hit by unexpected bills could see their credit damaged, their families dogged … →

TALLAHASSEE – “There’s a new terror lurking. Horribly huge! Devilishly dangerous! Spewing toxic policy. It’s the cigarette that’s eating Tallahassee!” That’s the opening of a new video released today by the Consumer Federation of the Southeast (CFSE) to raise awareness of a major shortcoming in Florida’s tobacco tax policy. The satirical Web video, inspired by horror movie trailers from the 1950s and 1960s, illustrates how powerful low-priced cigarette manufacturers are blocking an effort to close a loophole in Florida’s tobacco … →

TALLAHASSEE – Florida’s floundering economy could get a $4.3 billion shot-in-the-arm, if state leaders convert a new federal tax credit for first-time homebuyers into upfront cash for a down payment. That’s the finding of a new economic study that boosts a consumer group’s urgent advocacy to take advantage of this time-limited opportunity. “This money disappears on Dec. 1. We need to act now to rebuild Florida’s housing market with the help of the tremendous opportunity afforded by the federal stimulus … →

TALLAHASSEE – The Consumer Federation of the Southeast (CFSE) today released its April Fools’ Day “Crazy 8 Hall of Shame” list of the special interests that are “playing consumers for fools.” CFSE Executive Director Walt Dartland released the list via a Web video. Topping the “Crazy 8 Hall of Shame” list are telephone, health insurance and tobacco companies, along with electric utilities. Dartland jabbed the industries by awarding each a “joker” card for trying to “put a joke over on … →