You may have noticed some changes in our magazine and web site over the past several months. Our web content has become more robust, and our magazine page designs have undergone some streamlining. With this issue, we complete our "tweaks." Our table of contents is now two pages. The first page highlights our cover story, features, and columnists. Our regular contributors have been given designated column names so you can more readily find your favorites. The second page offers information on accessing and contributing to our online content, and we have introduced a graphic entitled "Florida by the Numbers," which offers a snapshot of recurring state and insurance statistics.
Perhaps our most exciting change is the formation of our first-ever editorial advisory board. Eight Florida insurance experts are graciously volunteering their time and expertise to ensure that Florida Underwriter continues to serve the interest of its readers. In addition to helping me stay informed on all the "hot topics," board members will regularly offer commentary on the insurance market, its politics, regulations, trends, and pressing issues. In our inaugural "The Inside View" on page 22, advisory board member Mike Colodny speaks out about our troubled property insurance market. Be sure to check out our back page in this and future issues for compelling thoughts from our industry experts.
Speaking of change, the slate of contenders hankering to be our new governor is now set: For the Democrats, current CFO Alex Sink; for the Republicans, newcomer Rick Scott. Lawton "Bud" Chiles III also is running — although I am hard pressed to understand why. While some people initially thought that his Independent candidacy would be harmful to Sink, that may not be the case. A Public Policy Poll released the day after the primary said, "Republicans hope that Bud Chiles will play a spoiler role for Sink's chances this fall but at this point he's actually getting eight percent of GOP votes and only six percent of Democratic votes, suggesting that for now his presence in the race is hurting Scott."
Scott is, as he has repeatedly said, an "outsider" to politics; he has no voting record for us to review. Thus far in his campaign he has made few comments regarding insurance (except for that whole Medicare thing). He does have a brief note on his web site under "Jobs – Regulatory Reform," where he recommends: "Lower workers' compensation costs; a 35 percent reduction in workers' compensation costs would save businesses approximately $2.46 billion." Given the 64.7 reduction in workers' compensation rates since 2003, the statement gives one pause.
In Sink's role as CFO, we have had ample opportunity to evaluate her actions on insurance issues, and the reviews are mostly favorable. Although her drive to give more power to Insurance Consumer Advocate Sean Shaw is troubling, overall Sink has been a strong proponent of the industry, offering reasoned commentary and practical solutions. The Florida Association of Insurance Agents (FAIA) is a vocal fan. Its leadership jumped on the Sink for Governor bandwagon early, endorsing her at its summer convention in 2009. FAIA also endorsed Sink in her bid for CFO in 2006.
At its 2010 convention, FAIA endorsed CFO-candidate and Senate President Jeff Atwater (R-North Palm Beach) and awarded him its 2010 Legislator of the Year Award. Atwater is the heavy favorite in the race against Democrat Loranne Ausley, a former state representative and current chair of the Florida Healthy Kids Corp.
For our October issue, Gary Fineout and I have invited Sink and Scott to participate in a Q&A focusing on insurance-related issues. Stay tuned.
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