Crist could decide whether to call a special session

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Nov. 16, 2006 – Will Gov. Jeb Bush call a special session of the Florida Legislature in December to deal with property insurance issues? It depends on whom you ask and when you ask the question.

Yesterday, the answer seemed to be “maybe.” Gov. Bush said there now appears to be a consensus but he’ll defer the decision to incoming Gov. Charlie Crist.

Crist, however, has not said whether he would approve a special session, and many legislative leaders have not yet reacted to the 107-page Property and Casualty Insurance Reform Committee report released yesterday. The report outlined 50 recommendations for improving the property insurance market in Florida.

“Charlie made a series of proposals that I think are important to be added to a bill,” Bush said Tuesday. ‘‘If there is a general consensus to go forward while I’m here, we’ll do it. If there isn’t, and that may actually be what happens, then we will pass these recommendations and work done to the governor-elect, and it will be dealt with.”

Crist generally sides with Bush in saying a special session should be called but only if there is a general consensus first, though he has not commented since the recent insurance report. If a special session does not take place, “It will be a priority of the Crist administration,” he says. Crist takes office Jan. 2, 2007.

Source: Palm Beach Post (11/16/06) and Tallahassee Democrat (11/15/06)

© 2006 FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

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