FPL’s Transmission Lines on US1 or Bust?

The largest purveyor of electricity and political contributions, Florida Power and Light (FPL), is adamant  about getting its way when it comes to laying out new transmission lines along US1 and Everglades National Park. So much so they now influence the Public Service Commission (PSC) to the point where all commissioners have a utilities background.   Never mind a Governor that is a large recipient  of FPL's campaign contributions.  When former PSC chairwoman Nancy Argenziano resigned in the fall of 2010, she delivered a stinging criticism of the panel: "The PSC is a revolving door with the utilities it regulates" as reported by the Herald Tribune.
 Now the inevitable is happening for FPL has strategically placed itself as a mover and shaker in politics whereby only friendly to utilities PSC commissioners are appointed so it's no wonder they feel embolden to discount and literally ignore the local municipalities and their elected leaders with their plan to install new transmission lines.   It's up to the citizens of the affected cities and Kendall to rise up and be heard.  2014 is an election year and Governor Rick Scott wants to get elected badly even if he's not the most likable politician.  If our local leaders play their cards right they might just get their way to this electrifying affair.

Reference Links:
Herald Tribune - Analysis of Florida PSC

FPL’s plan to place transmission lines along U.S. 1 and the Everglades jolts several communities - Coral Gables - MiamiHerald.com

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Red Light Cameras: A Cash Cow Trap more than Safety Device

According the City website the Red-Light "Safety" Program is in place for the purposes of reducing red-light violations, crashes and injuries because it is "believed" that an automated red-light camera program reduces the number of red-light collisions and injuries associated with these crashes. 

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) says it does.   However, the National Motorist Association says otherwise.  The National Mortorist Association was the organization that fought and succeeded in having the 55MPH National Speed Limit repealed. So who do you believe?   You be the judge though evidence is mounting that red-light cameras have become an alternative funding mechanism for cities like Homestead to pad their budgets.  So much so that lobbyist through the FDOT had the yellow light time shortened according to a recent article in Florida Today. Red light cameras generated more than $100 million in revenue in 2012 in approximately 70 Florida communities, with 52.5 percent of the revenue going to the state. The rest of the revenue is divided between the cities, counties, and the camera companies. In 2013, the cameras are on pace to generate $120 million.   

According to the Miami New Times, this past Wednesday, June 12th, Gov. Rick Scott signed legislation that forbids cities from ticketing drivers making a right-hand turn on red. The new rules Scott signed are part of a 226-page highway safety bill. As part of the new law, drivers can no longer be cited for a right turn on a red light as long as they stop, even if they stop past the line.  Scott also signed off on giving drivers 60 days to deal with a red-light ticket instead of the 30-day window most cities use.    Also, The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) also announced this week that it's planning to lengthen yellow-light times.  As a result of the updated state law, Homestead followed suit and updated the local ordinance to comply accordingly as reported by the South Dade News Leader.

Reference Links:

http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20130515/NEWS01/130515020/Florida-quietly-shortens-yellow-lights-resulting-more-red-light-camera-tickets
http://southdadenewsleader.com/issue/south-dade-news-leader/article/florida-city-homestead-amend-traffic-light-ordinance

http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/riptide/2013/06/rick_scott_signs_bill_to_make.php

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Homestead City Hall: New Leadership Needed Apply Within

City of Homestead a town on the southern mainland tip of the Florida peninsula between two National Parks.   A place where one can raise a family or conversely retire  in peace and tranquility.  Except of course for the scandal ridden City of Hall, which is in need of new leadership.  Finally the State Attorney's office is zeroing in on Mayor Steven Bateman for facilitating a land grab in Historic Downtown Homestead by one of his main campaign contributors.  This election season will be a roller coaster ride depending on the different scenarios that may develop.  No matter the outcome the the City's reputation is sullied with what has already transpired.
If the allegation brought forth by the State Attorney's Office are true, Mayor Bateman will be removed by Governor Rick Scott soon enough.  However, deposing the Mayor from his position may not stop him from running in the Mayoral election in November.  This story could turn out to be a similar scenario of when Governor Crist removed Miami Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones after her arrest for corruption in November 2009.  If Steven Bateman is once again re-elected as Mayor in November, he can still be removed once more if new charges are filed, plea bargain, or a conviction occurs.   Stranger things have happened in South Florida so don't think it would be odd if this is one of the unfortunate outcomes.  The victims of course in this sad turn of events are the residents of Homestead who will have to endure this mess along with the Mayor and his band of cronies supporting his corrupt endeavors.  We can only hope the voting citizenry of Homestead wise up and give the Mayor a pink slip come November, better yet, the Primary could put this issue to rest.  The corruption charges will continue for the Mayor. Nevertheless, the citizens may be able to turn the page on another dramatic stain for the history books of Homestead on its 100th anniversary.

Reference Links:
Homestead Mayor Bateman at center of Corruption Trifecta 

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Citizens Depopulation: Florida Senate set to review $52M "Sweet Deal" with Heritage Insurance

The scam artists in the Florida State Legislature have set in motion a Depopulation effort of Citizens Insurance company to supposedly save the State from assuming claims should a hurricane land on our shores.  Something we all know it's inevitable  as policyholders in state Florida with or without Citizens Insurance.  This is because companies like Heritage and Weston Insurance will go belly up when a hurricane hits and the State will have to take them over.   The only difference is that these private insurers' shareholders will have taken all the money doled out to them by the State Legislature before the companies collapse. You see Heritage's shareholders are made up of politically well connected campaign contributors.  This company like several others have been set up to "help" Citizens depopulate itself from policyholders.  Now the Senate in a disingenuous attempt at transparency wants to review the sweat deal provided to Heritage Insurance.  If they were really interested in helping out the people of this state they would null and void the Citizens Depopulation effort.  That is not to be, so the Senate will hold a sophomoric attempt at theatre they call legislative oversight.  This is only happening because people have been flooding the Senators' phones expressing angst at this travesty.  

However, If the people know what's good for them they would Opt-Out from this sham and then sit back and watch Heritage and their ilk go into bankruptcy where they belong.  Unfortunately, the machiavellian Governor and State Legislators have forced Citizens to make the Opt Out procedure counterintuitive in the hopes that people just forget about the Citizens letters that came in the mail.  They may very well be successful for the insurers and marketers employ behaviorists to achieve the ends they set forth in their schemes. The unsuspecting property owners will have their homeowners policies assumed by the likes of Heritage and Weston Insurance companies after the 30 day grace period from the assumption date on the letter. These fly-by-night insurers deserve nothing but contempt from the homeowners for they will not exist long after a hurricane hits Florida.  Recently the Miami Herald performed an analysis and it reflected that insurers in Florida go under at a rate of 30% as 6 of 18 insurers set up to take Citizens policies have gone bankrupt.  This is happening with No Hurricanes so one can only imagine what will happen to the other 12 private insurers once a severe storm aims for our state.

Reference Links:
TALLAHASSEE: Senate to review ‘unique’ $52 million Citizens insurance deal - Business - MiamiHerald.com

OPT OUT: Citizens Insurance under Depopulation in Preparation for Active Hurricane Season

Private Insurers in Florida Failing Despite No Hurricanes!

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Private Insurers in Florida Failing Despite No Hurricanes!

The Miami Herald (MH) has a good article analyzing the long list of failed private insurers, their rating agencies and the fleecing of Citizens insurance and by proxy the taxpayer.  HIH has been saying this all along with our article: Opt Out: Citizens Insurance under Depopulation in Preparation for Active Hurricane Season.  We're glad to see MH has picked it up as it should continue  to expose the revolving door in effect with private insurers in Florida.  They come, they fleece, they go!  Modern carpetbagging at its worst all facilitated by the Governor and Sate Legislature. 

MH performed a worthwhile analysis that all homeowners should read so they may make better informed decisions regarding their insurers options.  

Click on the link below for the full article.

TALLAHASSEE: Despite no hurricanes, many ‘takeout’ insurers fail - Florida - MiamiHerald.com

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Gov. Rick Scott: Call a Special Session to Expand Medicaid - Let's Get it Done!

This May, the Florida Legislature rejected $51 billion of federal funds to expand Medicaid to over a million people statewide. 4 million Floridians are currently uninsured across the state – that's 1 in 5 non-elderly residents who lack insurance – and an estimated 1.3 million of the people who need it most are expected to gain coverage through the expansion.

State Representatives – including all the Republicans opposed to expanding Medicaid – will pay just $8.34 a month for state-subsidized health care next year. That’s $30 a month to cover their entire families.

Many business owners could now end up paying tax penalties of $2,000 to $3,000 per employee. The decision could cost Florida businesses up to $218 million in total.

Public hospitals will also suffer because they will continue to care for those 1.3 million uninsured people who seek treatment in their emergency rooms.

Gov. Rick Scott already knows all of this. At a press conference in February he said,“While the federal government is committed to paying 100 percent of the costs, I cannot deny Floridians who need access to health care.”

Ask Gov. Scott to take the stand he promised he would – and call a special session to expand Medicaid in Florida.

P.S. You can also call Gov. Rick Scott at 850.488.7146 to demand Medicaid 

HIH POV:

For us in Homestead expanding Medicaid is essential to lifting many of our most vulnerable residents out of poverty which includes our elderly.  It is essential that this expansion takes place now.  We ask you to petition the Governor to make this happen soon. 

Click on this link to sign the petition:

http://www.change.org/petitions/rick-scott-call-a-special-session-to-expand-medicaid

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OPT OUT: Citizens Insurance under Depopulation in Preparation for Active Hurricane Season

It's been seven years since we've been hit with a major hurricane.  In preparation for our luck to run out Citizens Insurance is being dismantled by Gov. Rick Scott and the Legislature via a Depopulation effort of policies from the insurer.  They have set in motion a Rube Goldberg machine that will effectively boot everyone out of Citizens and into the hands of fly-by-night private insurance companies.  Companies that were created with seed money from the profits of guess who?  Citizens Insurance of course; Corporate Welfare of the worst kind!  Profits that were unnecessarily generated by ever increasing rates with the false premise that the company was not sufficiently funded.  Lies and smoke screens by a Governor and State Legislature that's disturbingly obsessed with finding all solutions in the private insurance market. We were here when Hurricane Andrew hit South Florida and the private insurers cancelled policies and/or went bankrupt as a result.

 If you're thinking Depopulation of Citizens and over to private insurers such as Allstate, State Farm, Nationwide, USAA, Farmers, Prudential and other big firms, think again. Those companies wont come to Florida bearing their name.  They know that they cannot withstand the loses of a major storm keeping their good name intact.  The insurance market in Florida is kryptonite to viable insurance companies hence why Citizens Insurance exists. It's the only way for the citizens of our state to maintain affordable homeowners insurance.  Notwithstanding the shenanigans concocted by our Governor and State Legislature to make it appear that Citizens is not viable.  

The companies being offered are listed below to gladly take your money and increase your rates at their whim, because if you're thinking they'll be any cheaper than Citizens, think again.  They are "for-profit" entities that stay afloat with customer premiums plus the subsidies Citizens Insurance is doling out. Fortunately there is an Opt Out Form available so people that know better can stay away from these companies.  The choice is your but you have to act upon receiving an assumption letter.  You only have 30 days from the date in the letter to contact their agent, submit the form and have the company process the opt out letter.  They didn't make it an easy process on purpose so it's up to you, the clock is ticking. 

07/09/2013 Assumption

• Southern Oak Opt Out Form

6/28/2013 Assumption

• Heritage Property & Casualty Opt Out Form

06/04/2013 Assumption

• Tower Hill Select Insurance Company Opt Out Form

05/31/2013 Assumption

• Weston Insurance Company Residential Opt Out Form

05/17/2013 Assumption

• Weston Insurance Company Opt Out Form

05/16/2013 Assumption

• Weston Insurance Company Commercial Residential Opt Out Form
• Weston Insurance Company Commercial Non-Residential Notification

05/07/2013 Assumption

• Southern Oak Opt Out Form

05/02/2013 Assumption

• Weston Insurance Company Commercial Residential Opt Out Form
• Weston Insurance Company Commercial Non-Residential Notification

04/09/2013 Assumption

• Heritage Property & Casualty Opt Out Form

03/22/2013 Assumption

• Weston Insurance Company Opt Out Form

03/05/2013 Assumption

• Safe Harbor Opt Out Form
• Southern Oak Opt Out Form

Miami Herald Excerpt:

There were 19 named storms last year and experts are predicting another busy season in 2013, continuing what has been an active cycle over last decade.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center, which issues the government’s annual pre-season forecasts, warns there could be from 13 to 20 named storms this year compared to the average of 12. Seven to 11 could become hurricanes, with up to six becoming major hurricanes with wind speeds topping 111 mph.

Reference Link:

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/05/30/v-fullstory/3424627/florida-braces-for-another-active.html#storylink=cpy

Florida braces for another active hurricane season - Hurricanes - MiamiHerald.com

 Citizens Insurance Depopulation Update - Watch Out For Assumption Notice and Opt Out Form 

Citizens Windstorm Insurance - Depopulation Effort Underway

http://www.childresslawyers.com/2012/10/15/opinions-re-citizens-property-insurances-proposed-depopulationsurplus-loan-program/

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FL Gov. hammers Citizens Insurance after signing bill - Depopulation Continues

Miami Herald Excerpt:

Scott on Wednesday signed a bill that includes modest steps to shrink the size of the state-created Citizens Property Insurance Corp. The bill (SB 1770) creates a new "clearinghouse" designed to steer homeowners into private insurers instead of obtaining coverage through Citizens. The legislation also phases in over three years a $700,000 cap on the value of homes that can be insured by Citizens.

HIH POV:
See previous blog articles:
 Citizens Insurance Depopulation Update - Watch Out For Assumption Notice and Opt Out Form 

Citizens Windstorm Insurance - Depopulation Effort Underway

Reference Link

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/05/29/3422690/fla-gov-criticizes-insurer-after.html#storylink=cpy

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.: Fla. Gov. criticizes insurer after signing bill - Florida Wires - MiamiHerald.com

http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/news/columnists/mayo/blog/2012/10/fun_facts_about_citizens_insur.html

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No Hurricanes in 7 years but Florida insurance rates keep rising

Miami Herald Excerpt:

The biggest expense remains the cost of "reinsurance" - which is the money an insurer spends with an out-of-state or foreign company to provide the company financial backing in case of major claims.
Other causes that have been cited include millions in other types of losses such as sinkholes. A Pulitizer Prize-winning series in 2010 by the Sarasota Herald-Tribune pointed out how insurers paid out millions in bonuses to company executives or had large overhead costs compared to the rest of the nation.
Plus, McCarty conceded all rate filings are allowed to include some percentage of profit for private insurers.
Sean Shaw, the former insurance consumer advocate for the state, put the blame on the Florida Legislature for siding too often with the insurance industry.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/05/27/3418973/7-years-without-storms-but-fla.html#storylink=cpy

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.: 7 years without storms but Fla. rates keep rising - Florida Wires - MiamiHerald.com

HIH POV:

The current Governor and State Legislature believe the private homeowners insurance market is viable if a storm should hit.  Fact is we've been here before and the moment a storm hits our shores bankruptcy is their best solution to avoid paying claims.  Citizens Insurance Corp is our only saving grace but the State government wants to dismantle the company as we know it.  Click on the pulitzer.org link below to gain an awareness of how we're being fleeced and the worst part, it's all legal.

Reference Link:
http://homesteadishome.blogspot.com/2013/05/citizen-insurance-depopulation-update.html

http://www.pulitzer.org/archives/9194

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Citizens Insurance Depopulation Update - Watch Out For Assumption Notice and Opt Out Form

As reported before on HIH the Citizens Depopulation effort is in full swing. Examples of what to watch out for in the mail are included.  You only have 30 days from the Assumption Notice date to OPT OUT so there's no time to waste once you receive the letter.  You must contact your insurance agent if an OPT OUT form is not included with the Assumption Notice.  Coincidentally we did not receive one.  It's not by chance but by design so you have to be proactive to assert your desires to through your insurance agent.

This shameless trickery by the Florida Legislature in cahoots with Governor Rick Scott is an attempt to turn Citizens Insurance into a less viable alternative for the citizens of Florida.  They seem to think we have forgotten what happened 21 years ago when Hurricane Andrew left Homestead in shambles almost erasing it off the map.  Private insurers at the time were going out of business in droves dropping policies on the doorsteps of the State Government because they could not sustain the losses of a major hurricane.

This is how Citizens Insurance came about once all the private insurers pulled out.  Private insurers are only back to take our money because the Governor and State Legislature have sweeten the deal by providing Citizen Insurance profits as seed money for their fly-by-night insurance start-ups. Experience has shown us that these companies will go belly up once a major hurricane hits South Florida.  They are unsustainable enterprises and are only in business first to take our hard earned money and second because of the mistaken philosophical belief that free market forces are  viable in the windstorm insurance industry.

Fact is folks, windstorm insurance is just like flood insurance, which is run by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) because no private insurance company will touch it.  Simply put the losses incurred during floods outstrip the premiums collected that would be viable in the marketplace.  If private insurance companies were issuing policies for flood, the rates would be so high most of coastal Florida would be depopulated since no one would be able to afford the premiums.  Never mind that no bank would finance real estate ventures without flood insurance.  Windstorm is no different and a national program should exist but political ideology currently trumps logical reasoning in the US Congress and the financial welfare of citizens is an afterthought.

Florida was a pioneer in creating a State run windstorm insurance company while Louisiana did the same after Hurricane Katrina.  Citizens Insurance company makes a profit, it's sustainable,  and it's our only saving grace if a major storm head our way.  You can do something about stopping the dismantling of Citizens by Opting Out and staying with Citizens Insurance.  Examples of the letters received by a Homestead family are provided to you for your awareness. Be on the look out; they are coming your way!



Reference Link
http://homesteadishome.blogspot.com/2013/05/citizen-windstorm-insurance.html

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