Behind the Senate's insurance legislation

The Florida Senate's no-bid $80,000 contract for legal advice on property insurance went to a law firm that employs an attorney with ties to a well-known anti-insurance law firm. Read more here.

Comments

[adopted son of Ben Watchin]

Well then! It all begins to crystalize. Trial lawyers give money that they make from suing insurance companies to politicians and judges. In turn, they make favorable rulings from the bench, or pass legislation designed to line attorneys' pockets with money from "consumer" lawsuits (that usually do nothing to benefit consumers). It appears even Jeff Atwater, the self-anointed and exhalted pro-consumer anti-insurance martyr, isn't above the lures of the almighty dollar.

Nice going, Jeff! You're officially a corrupt politician. We're so proud.

Signed,
the folks you claim to be watching out for

non story, next

enjoy your burgers at the mansion

Jeff Atwater is an honorable man. This was a decision made for the best possible legal advice.

A nice hatchet piece by the St. Pete Times.

[Patrick]

He followed all the rules and went beyond all ethical requirements and the Times is throwing stones. Its pretty obvious that Atwater and Geller followed the rules. Looks the Times is trying to make something out of nothing.

[Aidan]

The Senate did a vetting that was completely above board and the Times is trying to make political hay out of nothing.

yawn

Moyle gave to Alex Sink, Jim Davis and the Florida Democratic Party in 2006, sounds like a Democratic firm to me.

[Scott T]

Uh...so wait. They followed the rules, let non-partisan staffers make the selection and this is a story why?

Moyle has been a big contributor for Buddy Dyer, Scott Maddox, & Bill McBride.

I am sure Jeff Atwater and Steve Geller had nothing to do with which legal counsel was hired. Legislative staff make those decisions to avoid any appearance or inpropriety.

Atwater and Geller both say they were chosen for their experience yet the Times sees something nefarious. Geller would be the first to stick a knife in Atwater if he could. Sounds pretty innocuous.

How about a story about how Al Lawson the next Minority leader was the only one to vote against the Insurance Bill of Rights today. Just so happens Lawson is an Allstate Insurance Agent. So much for a conflict of interest.

[For the People]

All you trial lawyers out there who keep coming to Atwater's defense need to quit with your "I'm sure there's nothing there" and "nice hatchet job" comments. We see right through your crap (which is why you have to advertise in the yellow pages for your services).

Atwater has wood for the insurers simply because he believes (like Randy is telling him) this is the only way he can get re-elected. Be careful, lest your industry is next if it suits his politics. I'd rather have Skip, at least he's not afraid to say why he's for or against something.

Atwater's a hack - nothing more.

Signed, the media

I am taken aback by the fact that the Times spent so much ink over a $500 contribution - why not look into Gelber, Geller, Lawson?

Why not look into Lawson (an Allstate Insurance Agent) and his ties to the industry. The Dems are in bed with the insurance lobby.

Skip not afraid to say he is against something? Are youi serious, he has taken a stance on every side of the issues. He blows like the wind..just don't ask him to blow in a breathalyzer!!

Let's elect Skip

All this crap makes me want to ditch democracy and have a monarchy. Would that rid us of these useless blogs?

Nope, but if you move to Russia or China you won't be bothered by anyone's opinion other than the Government's.

No, but it may rid us of the right to blog!

Lawson works for a life insurance firm. He is not employed by Allstate... please get your facts straight before you start bashing people.

That's the Republican Party - taking care of their own while they turn the "middle class" into the "working poor" one "special" contract at a time.

Yes, I'm sure that the Senate staff made this decision withut any input from Atwater or any other Senator. I'm sure its a coincidence that the Moyle and his boys gave money to Atwaters campaign, and that Atwater and Moyle have been friends since they were teenagers when they went to high school together. What a small world!!!

Well, we just finished naked wrestling. It was much less interesting than THIS. This is some sexy stuff - Atwater becomes "Attaboy, carry our water" to the trial bar.

Yeah, he's an honorable man. And Dickie Scruggs just wanted folks to get their homes paid for by the insurance industry. And Ken Lay was just trying to make his employees a bit more money to retire on. And Nixon was just gonna see how mean the Dems were going to be to him. And O.J. is looking for Nicole's killer on every golf course in America - when he's not in jail again. And those girls told Iron Mike, Kobe, and R.Kelly that they really wanted it!!!

Dumbasses!