Your article “Citizens CEO says a push to undo Florida insurance reforms is behind arbitration criticism,” published Sept. 24, was informative coverage on both property insurance costs and lawsuit reform.
Citizens CEO Tim Cerio made his case that lawsuit reforms passed in 2023 have reduced the taxpayer burden and invited more private market insurers into Florida. Indeed, the number of private insurers climbed to 17 in recent months, reinforcing the new law’s value.
Concern about the fairness of arbitration is worthy of consideration. The system must work for the consumers it is intended to benefit. But consider: Plaintiffs’ lawyers are among the most active special interests in Florida, spending tens of millions on political campaigns and lobbying to change laws for themselves.
Their frustrations are not an objective evaluation of the system.
Jim Kallinger, Tallahassee
The writer is a former Florida legislator and chairman of the Small Business and Consumers Alliance.
Open carry is insane
I hope Gov. Ron DeSantis reads this newspaper, for his obsession with guns makes me believe he never graduated from Harvard, Yale or the Naval Justice School in Newport, R.I., in 2005.
What’s good about open carry is, if you see someone with a gun on his or her hip, you might think twice about giving them the finger, unless you too are carrying a gun, and believe you’re in Dodge City and you want to see who’s faster on the draw.
What’s bad is an innocent person will be shot because the person shooting has no training in gun handling or shooting skills. The ugly is someone possibly dies, and lawyers will flock to the scene. Making it legal to carry a gun without a permit is bad enough. To allow them to openly carry is insane.
I have carried a weapon legally for 40 years. I’m a Republican and I voted for DeSantis. But he’s completely out of his mind trying to push his gun agenda down our throats.
Think of a police officer going on a shooting call. He arrives and sees several people with guns on their hips. Who’s the bad guy? Who’s the good guy? The cop has a split second to decide, or they could get shot.
Harold Brown, Delray Beach
In praise of Pat Beall
I have much respect for Pat Beall’s recent column, “Social media is teaching us to hate ourselves and each other,” Sept. 20.
I could not agree more! Thank you for your hard work and dedication.
Joseph Kwapich, Sarasota
A blind eye to poverty
The U.S. Department of Agriculture will end its annual food insecurity survey.
The survey documents real families’ struggles to put enough food on the table. Just as deep cuts to anti-poverty programs take effect, the administration wants to hide poverty, not solve it.
Leaders in Congress are not helping. In addition to pushing us to another costly government shutdown that will disrupt services for millions, they continue to attack programs that make a difference.
Recent census data shows that the Child Tax Credit, coupled with the Earned Income Tax Credit, kept 6.8 million people out of poverty last year. SNAP (food stamps) kept 3.6 million people out. Yet the One Big Beautiful Bill Act takes the CTC and SNAP away from millions of hardworking families, trapping them in poverty.
Good policy needs good data and good leaders to make it happen. I urge President Trump to work with both parties to pass a budget that repeals these harmful cuts and prioritizes investments in anti-poverty programs.
Pam Nolan, Wilton Manors
The James Comey file
Former FBI Director James Comey has now been indicted for telling Congress he did not leak classified information.
Trump’s own DOJ literally declined to prosecute him in 2019 because they said the information was not classified. MAGA is prosecuting an innocent man because Trump hates him.
Paul Bacon, Hallandale Beach
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Alice J. Roden started working for Trending Insurance News at the end of 2021. Alice grew up in Salt Lake City, UT. A writer with a vast insurance industry background Alice has help with several of the biggest insurance companies. Before joining Trending Insurance News, Alice briefly worked as a freelance journalist for several radio stations. She covers home, renters and other property insurance stories.