by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
The 2009 legislative session begins Tuesday and, arguably, it’ll be the most important 60 days in the history of the state from an economic perspective. Aside from the funding issues and revenue shortfalls, lawmakers will be faced with tough property insurance, education, growth management and transportation debates. Toss in the lingering rumor that Gov. Charlie Crist intends to seek a Senate seat and it’s easy to understand why lawmakers need to be efficient with their time and judicial with their votes.
Throughout the session, lobbyists will work around-the-clock on behalf of their clients. Some overtly, others quietly with little fanfare. The 19 people representing Associated Industries of Florida will be among those working modestly from the periphery while battling ferociously on behalf of their clients — the 2,000 or so small businesses that comprise the 89 year-old organization.
The key to AIF’s success, according to President and CEO Barney Bishop, is the anonymity of its membership and the hard work the organization’s administration is willing to do on behalf of that membership.
“I am not there (Tallahassee) every day,” said Bishop. “I have been a lobbyist since 1979. I understand the process. I don’t have to micromanage our team. They will do whatever it takes to come to a compromise and make things work. They will keep me posted and I will relay information to the media.”
Bishop said he will probably testify in front of the state House or Senate 5-6 times on various matters ranging from property insurance — AIF’s top priority this session — to energy, education, taxation and a host of other issues. In all AIF has identified 19 issues to focus on during the session. The goal for some is passage of business-friendy legislation while the goal for others may be getting attention this session with concrete work in the future.
Bishop says during this year’s session he expects the Legislature to focus on the budget. Facing shortfalls in nearly every facet, the state simply cannot afford to suffer a hit from a major hurricane, something Bishop contends would bankrupt the state.
According to Bishop, Citizens Insurance (the state’s largest) currently has $485 billion worth of exposure but only $2.3 billion in the bank.
“They can’t cover 10 percent of their liability,” said Bishop, explaining the state’s catastrophe fund could help in the event of a major natural disaster, but those funds are limited as well. “The cat fund has $29 billion worth of exposure and only $2.9 billion in the bank.”
Bishop says the only immediate solution is to allow the insurance companies to raise their rates — something that won’t prove popular with property owners, but necessary to avoid economic catastrophe. Bishop said AIF supports implementing a rate increase over the course of five years in an effort to prevent insurance companies from leaving the state while at the same time making sure insurance money is available if needed.
“We need to get government to quit placing the blame on the insurance companies,” he said. “Having fewer insurance companies is bad. More is good.”
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