Conexion Miami / Florida’s home insurance rates double national average

It’s hard enough to own a home these days. Insurance companies aren’t making it any easier. Florida’s average premium rose about 8 percent in 2012 to $2,084, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners report. The rate is more than double the national average. “After being hurricane free for nearly 10 years, Florida policyholders are paying unjustifiably high property insurance rates,” said Nicole Vinson, director of the advocacy group Policyholders of Florida and a Tampa attorney who sues insurers. “Frankly, it’s unacceptable.”

More welfare for billionaires

Florida’s economic development agency recommended approval for four projects that applied for a new $13 million annual pot of money for future stadium projects. They include money for improvements to NFL stadiums in Jacksonville and Miami Gardens. The Florida Office of Economic and Demographic Research studied the return on $48 million the state spent on eight professional sports centers over three years. For every dollar it spent in the Professional Sports Franchise Incentive program, the state received just 30 cents in revenue, the study found.

Jeb is sure to make enemies of some in the GOP

If Jeb does run the problem may come from his own party. The NY Times reported this week: “In a sweeping speech that leaned heavily on economic policy, former Gov. Jeb Bush of Florida… described immigrants as the ‘engine of economic vitality’ before calling for a more welcoming immigration policy that could put him at odds with some in the more conservative wing of his party… We need to find a path to legalized status for those who have come here and have languished in the shadows,” he said. 

Gov. Scott in hot water

Florida Gov. Rick Scott continues to brush off questions about allegations of political meddling made by the state’s former top law enforcement officer. And the pressure continues to grow to get answers. “There’s a clear indication of tampering with criminal investigations and FDLE that an impartial investigator needs to take a look at,” said Jim Frissell, a 58-year-old engineer and former Indiana deputy sheriff. Some Florida leaders have suggested that the FDLE investigate itself. But Frisssell answered, “FDLE appears to be under political pressure by the governor’s office. Therefore, the FDLE would NOT be independent to fully investigate this matter.”

Marco preparing for a presidential run

ABC News reported last week that Marco Rubio has told top advisers to prepare as if he’s running for the White House and has tapped Anna Rogers of the conservative super PAC American Crossroads to lead fundraising for his Reclaim America PAC and a possible presidential campaign. So it looks like a presidential run, not a second term in the U.S. Senate, for Marco. We’d like to add: Run Marco run!

Voting rights very hard to get back in Florida

The three toughest states to get your voting rights back are Florida, Iowa and Kentucky. The result: more than 1.6 million Floridians – about 9 percent – cannot vote, hold office or serve on a jury, according to The Sentencing Project, a prison-reform group. Only the governor and the clemency board – under his command – can agree to give that right back to you. Under former Gov. Charlie Crist, the clemency board automatically restored the rights of nonviolent offenders who served their time – and a total of 155,315 got them back during his four-year term. Rick Scott undid that in his first few weeks in office.

Registering to vote – online

Floridians would be able to register online to vote starting on July 1 under a bill introduced by Sen. Jeff Clemens, D-West Palm Beach. “The good news is online voter registration has been done in as many as 20 other states,” Clemens said. “There is a large volume of good data that shows it works, saves money and provides a better experience for the voter. We aren’t reinventing the wheel, just adopting best practices from other states.”

Record numbers of Florida panthers – dying and being born

The Tampa Tribune reports that a record number of Florida panthers died in 2014, with nearly two-thirds of the deaths coming on the highways that crisscross Southwest Florida where the apex predator roams. Of the 34 recorded deaths, 24 were the result of vehicles. On the positive side, biologists with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported 32 kittens – itself a record number – were born last year to female panthers with tracking devices, and likely many more to female cats that researchers don’t track.

LWV: Florida needs YOU!

The League of Women Voters are asking Floridians to join them March 10 – 12 in Tallahassee for Capitol Impact Days. Their flyer reads: “Should Florida take Federal Funds to make healthcare more affordable? Should Florida allow guns on college campuses? How should Amendment One money be spent? Your voice is critical! The state of Florida needs YOU!” For more info, click here.

Xu Bing at FIU and the Frost Museum

“Xu Bing: Writing Between Heaven and Earth” opens on Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Patricia and Phillip Frost Art Museum FIU. Acclaimed worldwide for propelling contemporary Chinese art onto the global stage with his epic installations, Xu Bing has been invited to present a lecture on Feb. 21st from 4:00-5:00 p.m. and the opening reception from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Both events are free and open to the public. The artist’s lecture is at the University’s Graham Center GC140 (seating is expected to fill quickly, registration in advance is recommended to artinfo@fiu.edu).

Hialeah leads nation in ObamaCare sign-ups

In one Hialeah ZIP Code, says the Miami Herald, more people have selected a plan on the Affordable Care Act insurance exchange than in any spot in the country. The Herald article informs us that residents of Hialeah have signed up in record numbers for coverage in 2015. A total of 12,330 people in Hialeah’s 33012 ZIP Code selected a plan or were re-enrolled as of mid-January, the highest number in any ZIP Code in the 37 states that use theHealthCare.gov platform. Are you listening Marco Rubio?

Puerto Rico’s Guzmán to be honored in Miami

Puerto Rican-born character actor Luis Guzmán, the master of landing character roles in memorable movies and then stealing the show, will be honored with the Latinovator Award at Hispanicize 2015. Hispanicize, the sixth annual Latino trends event for filmmakers, bloggers, journalists, marketers, influencers and music artists, will take place March 16-20, at the InterContinental Hotel in Miami.

Record numbers sign up in Florida

As of Jan. 16, 2015, 1,270,995 Floridians had signed up for ObamaCare. “With just four weeks before the February 15 deadline and the end of Open Enrollment, Florida consumers are counting on the Marketplace for affordable health coverage,” HHS Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell said.

Economic costs of smoking

Last week was Tobacco-Free Awareness Week. The societal and economic costs of smoking total more than $301 billion a year and rising. As a result, the finance social network WalletHub conducted an in-depth analysis of The Financial Cost of Smoking by State. WalletHub’s analysis estimated the cost for the 60 million U.S. smokers to be roughly $1.4 million per smoker over a lifetime. In Florida (1=Lowest, 25=Avg.) they calculated:  Total Cost per Smoker (Rank) – $1,372,374 (26th); Tobacco Cost per Smoker (Rank) – $996,557 (24th); Health Care Cost per Smoker (Rank) – $171,447 (36th); and Income Loss per Smoker (Rank) – $187,158 (12th).

Glow as you run for fun

This is different. Sounds like fun. And it’s good for you. The Blacklight Run is a unique night 5K fun-run focused less on speed and more on UV Neon Glowing fun with friends and family. Glowing participants come from all different ages, shapes, sizes, and speeds; every participant will get ‘Glowed’ and has the time of their life. Whether you are an avid runner or a walk around the park walker, the 3 miles course will have you glowing. It will happen on Saturday, Jan. 31, starting at 3 p.m. Location is 1 Speedway Blvd. in Homestead.

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