This article expresses the opinion of the Tampa Bay Times Editorial Board.
Florida climate damage. Recent polls show that Florida Republicans are overwhelmingly concerned about energy costs and the state’s reliance on natural gas, and most of them link the increasing intensity of storms to the effects of climate change. This surprised Republican Governor Ron DeSantis and a Tennessee pollster that serves the GOP. But it wasn’t a surprise. Floridians of all parties are feeling the heat, literally and figuratively. Warmer Atlantic waters are already foreshadowing an unusually active hurricane season this year. Plus, Floridians are paying higher prices for electricity, property insurance, and massive flood control projects, all of which are tied to rising temperatures. It shouldn’t surprise anyone that environmental concerns here go beyond clean water and wildlife protection. The key is to translate this health, safety, and wallet issue into action on Election Day.
Regulators are waking up. Speaking of hurricanes, Florida regulators are suddenly getting tough on insurance companies. In the past, insurers have routinely avoided oversight when asking for premium increases by proposing rate increases just below the 15% threshold that triggers a hearing. The Tampa Bay Times reported this week that of 134 rate requests for 2022 and beyond, the most commonly requested increase was 14.9%. Insurers are also piggybacking on the rate adjustments, first introducing rates less than 15% and then asking for more. That’s how some homeowners see their premiums jump by more than 20% when their policies come up for renewal. But now, the state says it will no longer tolerate cheating, and regulators are enforcing a state law that allows for rate hearings whenever they deem necessary. Increased oversight is welcome, but why did it take so long? Insurers have been gaming the system for years while Floridians desperately needed relief. It’s fitting for an election year to see states rushing to the rescue. We’ll see if it lasts and pays off.
Disney’s Tomorrowland. Disney’s plunge into the Florida culture wars appears to be over. This week, the board overseeing the Walt Disney World Operating District, appointed by DeSantis, gave initial approval to a new development deal that could see the company invest up to $17 billion in Florida resorts and build a fifth major theme park at Disney World. The move came months after Disney and the DeSantis-run board agreed to end a long-running legal battle that began with the company’s opposition to Florida’s parental rights in education law, which limits lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity. That criticism triggered DeSantis’ takeover of the district, a politically damaging period for both sides. The agreement helped calm things down, saved face on both sides, and brought some normalcy to the Disney-ruled district, with the prospect of explosive tourism growth. In the end, money and political compromise won out. That’s very much the story of Florida.
Editorials are the organizational voice of the Tampa Bay Times. Members of the editorial board are editorial editors Graham Brink, Shelley Day, Sebastian Dortch, John Hill and Jim Verhulst, and chairman and CEO Conan Galati. Follow translation: For more opinion news, follow us on Twitter:
