SRQ DAILY Jun 14, 2021
Monday Business Edition
"Every day we see our homeowners and clients facing 20, 30 40, even 50% rate increase, and sometimes even higher."
A signing ceremony was held in Sarasota on Friday for an overhaul of Florida’s insurance regulations. Gov. Ron DeSantis at the event promised the changes will help “turn the corner and get to a better spot for all Floridians.”
The location for the signing made sense on multiple levels, with Sen. Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton, championing the bill within the Legislature this year, but also with some of the state’s largest insurance carriers headquartered in the region. But what will the bill do to impact the industry and consumers?
Boyd said he expects it will take a year to 18 months before insurance rates fully reflect the impact in the law. An insurance agent in his day job, Boyd said that’s the most important end goal for the bill. “Every day we see our homeowners and clients facing 20, 30 40, even 50% rate increases, and sometimes even higher,” he said.
There will be some immediate changes in how business is conducted in Florida when the new law goes into effect on July 1. Adjustors and roof inspectors will no longer be allowed to offer free inspections or gift cards, as many do now when they go door to door trying to convince homeowners to contract work. Boyd said many of the contractors try to convince homeowners to get their entire roofs replaced after that, often promising it will be completely covered but setting up conflict between homeowners and carriers that could end up in court.
The legislation also changes court fee prospects for trial attorneys, something else driving up costs for insurers in the state. Boyd through the legislative session noted many insurance companies won’t offer homeowners policies in Florida because of the litigious environment, and many domestic carriers in the state would be losing money but for the rest of their investment portfolios.
It’s part of why broader business groups championed the new round of regulation. “When Florida accounts for only 8% of the nation’s property insurance claims but 76% of national property insurance litigation, you know there is a problem," said Mark Wilson, president and CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce. He said the legislation “contains meaningful attorney fee reform to bring all parties to the table and reins in roofing solicitation practices that were driving lawsuits due to questionable roofing claims.”
The new law will also allow Citizens Property Insurance, the state-run insurer of last resort, to raise its rates more that 10% a year. By 2026, it could boost its own rates as much as 15%. But that’s important, supporters of the reform say, to bring those fees more in line with the private market. Before the legislation passed, the state insurer was taking on as many as 5,000 new policies each week, which could set up financial problems in the event of a major hurricane hitting those state-insured homes.
Even before the legislation went into effect, Florida Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier said the state has seen the trends shift. Less than 1,000 policies have been written for Citizens since the Legislature passed the bill on the last day of the session. He said that was a “positive development” and a sign both that private insurers were offering competitive prices to Citizens again and that a larger number of carriers were willing to work within Florida again. 
Photo courtesy Sen. Jim Boyd: Gov. RonDeSantis signs reform with Sen. Boyd, local leaders present.
PGT Innovations (NYSE: PGTI), a national leader in the premium window and door category, recently named Ryan S. Quinn as the new in-house General Counsel.
Once again, Barbara Mollanazar of RE/MAX Alliance Group has been recognized among the Top 250 Latino Agents by the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP). Ranked 36th in the southeast region and 202th nationwide, Mollanazar has been on the Top 250 list each year since it started ten years ago.
The Manasota Solar Co-op selected Solar Source to install solar panels for the group. Co-op members selected through a competitive bidding process over seven other firms. "We love solar, because we have the privilege to add real value to the well-being, the pocketbooks, and the future of our customers,” said Ben Piper, Regional Sales director for Solar Source. “We are excited to serve the members of the Manasota Solar Co-op as we work with Solar United Neighbors to build a positive, forward looking community of solar investors."
Harmar Mobility has recently been Certified™ by the world-wide organization Great Place to Work. The prestigious award is based solely on current employees’ feedback regarding their experience working at Harmar. This year, 75% of employees agreed that Harmar is a great place to work—16 points higher than the average U.S. company.
The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Florida Institute for Political Leadership (FIPL), an initiative by the Florida Chamber of Commerce, is hosting a virtual Campaign School & Community Leadership Training June 22 - 24, from 5:30pm – 8pm.
CareerEdge, the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce workforce initiative, has hired Kempton Research and Planning to perform a Manufacturing Skills Gap Study. Kristi Hoskinson, Vice President, CareerEdge said, “With our region’s continued growth in the manufacturing sector and the ever-evolving workforce climate, launching this skill gap study is critical to evaluate how we can move forward with a plan that will support local manufacturing companies as well as our workforce.”
Realize Bradenton is excited to welcome two new members to its Board of Directors, Alisa Westberry of BMO Harris Bank and Wade Hamilton of Connect Bradenton.
Suncoast Science Center/Faulhaber Fab Lab (SSC) has recently increased their efforts to open pathways for underserved students to discover the world of science. A $50,000 grant from Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation has recently helped the organization enhance the program by focusing on recruiting student instructors from high schools or organizations that primarily serve low-income communities. Funds will also be used to provide scholarships for those who cannot afford classes or camp fees.
Manatee County will offer one-on-one support to anyone who needs help applying for Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) funds which are being distributed to help those who have fallen behind on rent payments because of losses from the pandemic. Beginning Wednesday, June 16, County staff will offer insight and help navigating the online application at three central locations: Downtown Central Library, Palmetto Library and Gulfcoast Legal Services which is located in the CareerSource Suncoast building at 1112 Manatee Avenue East.
Sensational head toppers and toe stoppers to take you out and about all summer long.
Click here to read the full article in SRQ's May/June 2021 edition.
This exhibit, running from April 29 until June 17, 2021 during Center for Architecture Sarasota's gallery hours, will showcase the designs of the winners of the Center's first design competition.
Join us outdoors on Thursdays at 6:30pm, from May 6 through June 24, for this 8-class series to learn about the most popular Latin social dance forms from DK Dance Creations' top instructors. Salsa, Bachata, Merengue and more. During this educational opportunity, you will learn the basic movements, while exploring the rhythms, characteristics, and cultures that have come together to create each unique style of dance. Each 90-minute class will focus on one Latin style to provide students with a broad overview of each form. Every session will include an introduction to the dance style, the historical importance, and an hour of introductory dance instruction. This is an outdoor event. Please dress in workout clothes and wear sneakers. We also advise participants to bring a water bottle. DK Dance Creations is a Latin dance studio located in Sarasota, FL. Offering Latin dance classes, choreography services for wedding/quince/sweet-sixteens, private instruction, dance teams, dance shoe store and makeup classes. They provide an array of classes including but not limited to Bachata, Salsa On1, Salsa On2, Cha-cha, Kizomba, musicality, spinning techniques, tricks and lifts and many more. Individual Class tickets are $15 for nonmembers, $14 for members and $10 for students. Purchase the complete 8-class series and save. The complete series is only $80 or $72 for Members.
The Gecko’s Hospitality Group, an award-winning independent family of restaurants co-owned by Mike Gowan and Mike Quillen since 1992 will be hosting In-House Job Fairs at two Gecko’s Grill & Pub locations during the months of May and June, 2021. Gecko’s Job Fair schedules will be as follows: First and third Thursdays in May and June from 2pm to 4:30pm, starting May 6 through June 17, 2021 at Gecko’s Grill & Pub on SR 70 at Twelve Oaks Plaza, 7228 55th Avenue East, Bradenton and Gecko’s Grill & Pub on Clark Road at 5585 Palmer Crossing Circle. Applicants can expect to meet with a hiring manager and will be advised of the many company benefits the Gecko’s Hospitality Group offers employees, including Health, Dental and Vision insurance, paid time off, company 401(k), flexible schedule, meal allowance and opportunities for bonuses, career advancement and community involvement.
Sarasota Contemporary Dance is hosting 2021 Professional Summer Programs from May 22 to 28, June 19 to 25, and July 10 to 16. Get ready to move this summer with Sarasota Contemporary Dance and guest teachers in sunny Sarasota for a week-long dance intensive, unlike any other. You have three weeks to choose from - or do all three. Open to High School Students through to Professionals (minimum age 14). Participant Performance Friday and Virtual Broadcast Saturday alongside Sarasota Contemporary Dance. Daily classes include improvision, contemporary, liquid strength, afro-modern, jazz, and SCD repertory. Participant Rising Choreographer Progam (2 per program). Guest Faculty include Dazaun Soleyn, Jennifer Nugget, and Christal Brown. SCD Faculty include Melissa Rummel, Monessa Salley, and Xiao-xuan Dancigers. Housing available, each program capped at 20 students. Work-Study positions are also available.
For the second consecutive year Manatee County residents will have an opportunity to receive important preparation information for the 2021 Hurricane Season directly from County Commissioners and public safety experts. Each of Manatee County's seven County Commissioners will host a video conference with Emergency Management Chief Steve Litschauer and Public Safety Director Jacob Saur beginning May 24. In addition to the seven town halls, three Manatee County cities will host similar town halls with Chief Litschauer and Director Saur. After officials relay preparation tips, lines will be open for questions from the public. The Commissioner-hosted virtual town hall series is scheduled as follows: District 5 Commissioner and Commission Chair Vanessa Baugh on Monday, May 24 at 6:30pm, District 1 Commissioner James Satcher on Tuesday, June 1 at 6:30pm, District 2 Commissioner Reggie Bellamy on Wednesday, June 2 at 6:30pm, District 4 Commissioner Misty Servia on Monday, June 7 at 6:30pm, At-large Commissioner Carol Whitmore on Thursday, June 10 at 6:30pm, At-large Commissioner George Kruse on Monday, June 14 at 6:30pm, and District 3 Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge on Tuesday, June 15 at 11am. Three additional hurricane prep virtual town halls will be hosted by municipal partners: City of Bradenton on Wednesday, May 19 at 5:30pm, City of Holmes Beach on Monday, May 24 at 3pm, and City of Anna Maria on Wednesday, June 9 at 10am. The video link for each meeting will be announced one day before each meeting at www.mymanatee.org/townhall. Each town hall meeting also will be available for on-demand viewing on that area of the County website for within two days of the event.
With summer approaching and children and grandchildren off for the next several months, Madeby Gallery of Ringling College of Art and Design is hosting a virtual book show. The show will feature picture books for the very early learner to unique novels for adults and books for everyone in between. A fun family time to view and purchase outstanding books illustrated and written by Ringling College of Art and Design students and alumni. Live Zoom Opening Reception on Wednesday, May 26 from 5:30pm to 6:30pm. Please RSVP to madeby@c.ringling.edu to receive Zoom link. After the May 26 Zoom show, the books will be displayed online and available for purchase at www.madebygallery.com. To purchase, please call 941-822-0442 and make arrangements for curbside pickup or shipping. The show runs through Friday, June 18, 2021. Please RSVP to madeby@c.ringling.edu to receive the ZOOM virtual link.
Mark your calendar. The 16th Annual Savor Sarasota Restaurant Week is coming June 1 through 14, 2021. Local restaurants are preparing multi-course, prix-fixe lunch and dinner menus for just $16 and $32 per person. Participating restaurants include Cafe Venice Restuarant & Bar, Cafe Gabbiano, Michael's On East Restuarant, Farlow's On The Water, Bavaro's Pizza Napoletana & Pastaria, Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, Cafe Evergreen, Ristorante San Marco, Crab & Fin, Melange, Bevardi's Salute! Restuarant, Fins at Sharky's, Element. Steak. Seafood. Pasta., Libby's Lakewood Ranch, Captain Brian's Seafood, Circo, CMX Cinebistro, Libby's Neighborhood Brasserie, Bohemios Wine & Beer Tapas Bar, Bistro-Sarasota Art Museum, Andrea's Kitchen, Overture Restuarant & Gallery Lounge in Art Ovation, Sardinia Restuarant, Der Dutchman Restuarant, Rodizio Grill, Mattison's City Grille, The Bistro at Concession Golf Club, and Flavio's on Main.
SRQ DAILY is produced by SRQ | The Magazine. Note: The views and opinions expressed in the Saturday Perspectives Edition and in the Letters department of SRQ DAILY are those of the author(s) and do not imply endorsement by SRQ Media. Senior Editor Jacob Ogles edits the Saturday Perspective Edition, Letters and Guest Contributor columns.In the CocoTele department, SRQ DAILY is providing excerpts from news releases as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by SRQ DAILY. The views expressed by individuals are their own and their appearance in this section does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. For rates on SRQ DAILY banner advertising and sponsored content opportunities, please contact Ashley Ryan Cannon at 941-365-7702 x211 or via email |
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