In this episode: Nearly 20 years ago, Florida leaders erased an anti-competitive law that had been preventing a public nonprofit insurance company from challenging private, for-profit insurers. Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state’s Republican-controlled Legislature decided to reinstate that law. As a result, Florida homeowners are now paying higher prices for their home insurance. Sources: * House Bill 1A (2007) * Senate Bill 2A (2022) * Citizens chooses higher rate hikes for South Florida than its own numbers indicate (South Florida Sun-Sentinel) * Florida Republicans protected insurance companie ..read more

In this episode: The Florida Constitution gives governors the authority to suspend local officials over “incompetence” and “neglect of duty.” Ron DeSantis is exploiting that power unlike any governor before him. Contact: Garcia.JasonR@gmail.com Follow: Twitter  Follow the show: Apple | Spotify Get full access to Seeking Rents at jasongarcia.substack.com/subscribe ..read more

In this episode: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis just made some of his most important decisions of the year, by signing a new, $117 billion state budget — but eliminating hundreds of millions of dollars in spending on everything from tampons in high schools to tax prep in poor communities. It was a great day for credit card and bank lobbyists. But not so much for environmentalists trying to tear down a notorious old dam. Contact: Garcia.JasonR@gmail.com Follow: Twitter  Follow the show: Apple | Spotify Get full access to Seeking Rents at jasongarcia.substack.com/subsc ..read more

In this episode: At a time when so many Floridians are struggling to find and keep home insurance, the state’s new insurance commissioner has started cracking down on predatory practices, pushing for pro-consumer changes, and forcing more transparency on a notoriously inscrutable industry. Contact: Garcia.JasonR@gmail.com Follow: Twitter  Follow the show: Apple | Spotify Get full access to Seeking Rents at jasongarcia.substack.com/subscribe ..read more

In this episode: Farmworkers and construction workers across Florida spent years pleading with state leaders to pass a statewide heat-safety law that would ensure everyone working outside had access to water and shade. When Tallahassee refused to help, workers turned to city and county leaders instead. So Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature finally leapt into action — to make sure local governments couldn’t help, either. (Click here to read a print version of this story.) Contact: Garcia.JasonR@gmail.com Follow: Twitter  Follow the show: Apple | Spotify ..read more

In this episode: Just before Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis launched his campaign for president, Florida lawmakers passed a law hiding his flight records from the public. The DeSantis-for-president campaign quickly crashed and burned. But the secrecy around state air travel endures. Contact: Garcia.JasonR@gmail.com Follow: Twitter  Follow the show: Apple | Spotify Get full access to Seeking Rents at jasongarcia.substack.com/subscribe ..read more

In this episode: Florida lawmakers want to stop Visa and Mastercard from charging inflated swipe fees. The credit card companies are turning to Gov. Ron DeSantis for help. Contact: Garcia.JasonR@gmail.com Follow: Twitter  Follow the show: Apple | Spotify Get full access to Seeking Rents at jasongarcia.substack.com/subscribe ..read more

In this episode: The Florida Supreme Court just issued a pair of seismic decisions on abortion. One ruling stripped women and pregnant people in Florida of their right to abortion, while the other ruling will give the state’s voters a chance to restore that right in November. But the conservative court also signaled that it’s ready to rule that fetuses are people, too — which would have enormous implications for all reproductive rights. Contact: Garcia.JasonR@gmail.com Follow: Twitter  Follow the show: Apple | Spotify Get full access to Seeking Rents at jasongar ..read more

In this episode: Following a failed presidential campaign, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is trying to bring some long-running feuds to a close, including battles with Disney and other opponents of his infamous 'Don't Say Gay' law. Contact: Garcia.JasonR@gmail.com Follow: Twitter  Follow the show: Apple | Spotify Get full access to Seeking Rents at jasongarcia.substack.com/subscribe ..read more

In this episode: Florida lawmakers just finished up their 2024 legislative session, and the one issue everyone is worried about is property insurance. So how did lawmakers decide to help? They’re going to give you fifty bucks. Contact: Garcia.JasonR@gmail.com Follow: Twitter  Follow the show: Apple | Spotify Get full access to Seeking Rents at jasongarcia.substack.com/subscribe ..read more