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ICYMI: Panama City News Herald: “Patronis helps state weather the storms”

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“Patronis helps state weather the storms”
Panama City News Herald
Story by John Henderson
October 29, 2017
Click HERE to read the full story.
Jimmy Patronis has been a traveling man since he began his job as the state’s chief financial officer on July 1. In fact, at the rate he’s going, his on-the-job mileage by November will match the earth’s circumference.
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Since starting the job, Patronis has driven to all corners of the state, urging people to get their insurance information in order before hurricanes Irma and Nate and helping them avoid contractor fraud after them.
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Florida’s CFO oversees the state’s accounting and auditing functions and unclaimed property, monitors the investment of state funds and manages the risk management program for the state. The CFO also handles licensing and oversight of insurance agents and agencies, as well as funeral homes and cemeteries.
The CFO also oversees insurance fraud investigations, workers’ compensation coverage and serves as state fire marshal and a member of the Florida Cabinet.
As CFO, Patronis is in charge of the state’s checkbooks while overseeing an agency with about 2,000 employees and a budget of $298 million.
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After the storms, he traveled to areas hit by the storm, advising residents on how to expedite their economic recovery. He said before the storm left the state line, he and his team in a 24-hour period made stops in Tampa and the counties of Charlotte, Manatee, Lee, Hendry, Orange and Duval.
“We were helping people understand how to respond,” he said. “But more importantly, warning them of the fraud that follows a storm.”
Patronis said he’s learned a lot about the job in the four months in office, including the excellent condition of the state’s finances.
“Because of the credit worthiness of the state and what we have in keeping cash reserves, it has allowed the state to borrow money really almost cheaper than any other state in the union,” he said. “In the time since Gov. Scott has taken office, there have been billions of dollars in savings just in interest payments, and that’s real money that goes to education, health care, roads, infrastructure.”
 

ICYMI: Insurance Journal: Florida Reports More Than $9 Million Recovered for Insurance Consumers in Q3

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Insurance Journal
October 27, 2017
Click HERE to read the full story.
Assistance provided to Floridians by from Florida’s insurance consumer helpline led to the recovery of nearly $9.3 million in the third quarter of 2017, according to a statement from Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis. Recoveries included insurance claim payments and premium refunds that consumers sought the Department of Financial Services’ help collecting.
The helpline assists Floridians with financial and insurance-related matters, including disaster preparation and insurance fraud, as well as questions and complaints regarding auto, home, health, life and small business insurance. Between July 1, 2017 and Sept. 30, 2017, the helpline’s insurance specialists answered 70,454 calls and opened nearly 4,500 assistance requests. Nearly $9.3 million was recovered on behalf of 1,307 consumers.
Since January, the helpline has answered more than 211,000 calls, opening nearly 14,000 assistance requested and helping return a total of $25.9 million back to Floridians.
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“As many families continue to navigate the post-storm claims process, I encourage them to call us if they reach a roadblock of any kind. Our experts will advocate on their behalf, and quite possibly, secure a positive outcome to a problem that seemed otherwise unsolvable. We’re only one call away, and we’re always ready to help,” Patronis said.
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Floridians can contact the insurance consumer helpline toll-free by calling 1-877-MY-FL-CFO (1-877-693-5236).
 

ICYMI: TCPalm: Commissioner Thurlow-Lippisch: How to Submit Your Idea for a Constitutional Amendment

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Guest Column: “How to Submit Your Idea for a Constitutional Amendment”
TC Palm
By Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch, Commissioner, Constitution Revision Commission
August  28, 2017
The Florida Constitution belongs to the people of Florida and is the foundational document of our state government. In that same spirit, I am issuing an open invitation to all interested Floridians to get involved in the Constitution Revision Commission.
Don’t be afraid! The commission is for you, the public.
Although the words “Constitution Revision Commission” might sound intimidating, the process is not. Getting involved is easy, and you have many options to share your comments, ideas and proposals with the commission.
As commissioners, our job is to examine the Florida constitution and propose changes for voter consideration on Florida’s 2018 general election ballot. During this process, we consider proposed constitutional changes submitted by Floridians.
The commission is considering Sept. 22 as the deadline to submit public proposals. Many have already been submitted. We encourage all interested Floridians to submit their proposals as soon as possible!
Read the entire guest column by CRC Commissioner Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch here.
ABOUT THE FLORIDA CONSTITUTION REVISION COMMISSION (CRC)
Once every twenty years, Florida’s Constitution provides for the creation of a thirty-seven member revision commission for the purpose of reviewing Florida’s Constitution and proposing changes for voter consideration. The Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) meets for approximately one year, traveling the State of Florida, identifying issues, performing research and possibly recommending changes to the Constitution. Any amendments proposed by the CRC would be placed on the 2018 General Election ballot. For additional information, visit flcrc.gov. Follow the CRC on Twitter (@FloridaCRC) and Instagram (@FloridaCRC). Like the CRC on Facebook (@FloridaCRC).

Now's Your Chance to Reshape Florida's Constitution

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Do you have an idea for a policy that would make Florida a better place?
If so, the deadline to submit it to a group that could help make it a reality may be fast approaching.
The Florida Constitution Revision Commission — a body convened every 20 years to recommend amendments to the state Constitution — has recommended Sept. 22 as the deadline for members of the public to propose amendments they’d like to see on the November 2018 ballot.
Proposals can address any aspect of legal, social and legislative policy, and are collectively intended to represent ways to improve quality of life, health and prosperity for all Floridians. The CRC has been collecting suggestions at public forums throughout the state in its “Floridians Speak, We Listen” tour, as well accepting them online.
“We’re trying to get as much public input as possible,” said Timothy Cerio, chair of the CRC Rules and Administration Committee.
Cerio said more than 1,000 public proposals have already been submitted, and the proposed deadline — which will be voted on by the commission Sept. 19 — is to ensure the commission will have enough time to review and consider each submission.
Read the entire article here.
ABOUT THE FLORIDA CONSTITUTION REVISION COMMISSION (CRC)
Once every twenty years, Florida’s Constitution provides for the creation of a thirty-seven member revision commission for the purpose of reviewing Florida’s Constitution and proposing changes for voter consideration. The Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) meets for approximately one year, traveling the State of Florida, identifying issues, performing research and possibly recommending changes to the Constitution. Any amendments proposed by the CRC would be placed on the 2018 General Election ballot. For additional information, visit flcrc.gov. Follow the CRC on Twitter (@FloridaCRC) and Instagram (@FloridaCRC). Like the CRC on Facebook (@FloridaCRC).

  Contact: Meredith Beatrice
[email protected]
(850) 508-5204