Declarations

Patterson Launch

“Floridians deserve to have a choice in this election. With me, they’ll get someone who has spent a lifetime educating and advocating for consumers, and someone who understands that we can’t just sit idly by while our state is one major storm away from financial devastation and potentially billions in unfair tax increases.”

—Rep. Pat Patterson, (R-DeLand), in launching his campaign for the Republican nomination for Florida chief financial officer (CFO). Patterson is the House chair of the Insurance, Business, and Financial Affairs Policy Council. A U.S. Navy veteran and former public school teacher, he has also been an Allstate insurance agent for more than 30 years.

Atwater Announcement

“I will use the power of the Chief Financial Officer to protect taxpayers from fraud, waste and abuse, whether it comes from Wall Street, fly-by-night finance companies, big insurance or corruption in government. I will reform the way government works by making it more transparent, more effective and more accountable to the people of Florida.”

—Florida Senate President Jeff Atwater announcing his candidacy for the Republican nomination for the post of Florida CFO. Atwater was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2000. In 2002, he earned a seat in the Florida Senate. He was elected Senate president in 2008.

Temporary Fix

“This extension is just a temporary fix, but it is a significant and welcome development for millions of homeowners and small businesses who count on the National Flood Insurance Program for protection in the event of flooding. If the NFIP is allowed to expire, millions of consumers would be left vulnerable the next time a flood devastates a community.”

—Charles E. Symington Jr., Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America, senior vice president for government affairs, on the introduction of legislation in Congress to temporarily extend the NFIP until March 31, 2010. The NFIP is currently set to expire on Sept. 30, 2009.

Oxendine Returns

“The commissioner wanted to be above reproach on returning the donations, regardless of the bottom-line impact on our fund-raising goals.”

—Tim Echols, gubernatorial campaign manager for Georgia Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine, who returned $120,000 in contributions that were funneled to his gubernatorial campaign by two Georgia insurance companies his office regulates.

Topics Florida