Posted by  George Batchelor, Sun City Center 33573 on 02/21  at  12:44 PM

I think I am in tune with most people who are out of the labeled danger zones in that I feel that we should not help cover damages to people’s property who choose to live in “dangers way”.I would sugest a sliding scale for those who use Citizen’s so that those in danger zones pay a substanially larger premium,. actually enough to replace their dwelling without affecting the rest of the population and enoughn to replace their dwelling.

Posted by  Anne Miller, Indian Shores, Fl on 02/21  at  11:59 AM

I have been living in a condo on the gulf for 10 1/2 years. I am not a rich woman. I retired from Delta Air Lines from a very modest job and I resent the fact “only rich people live on the water”.
One must remember, hurricanes can affect any part of Florida...look at Andrew. Yes we pay high insurance but we pay more in taxes than anywhere and that is what the governments (local, county and state) love.

Posted by  Terry E Baumgardt, St Petersburg on 02/21  at  11:48 AM

There is no excuse for the rest of the citizens of Florida to have to pay to rebuild luxury homes or businesses along our coasts, in flood zones, etc.
If you want to live along the coast or operate a business in those locations you should be paying much higher insurance and tax rates. It is your choice to live along the coast and it is at your expense you do so.
I would love to live on one of the gulf coast beaches but realize I cannot afford that, So why do I have to pay so you can?

Posted by  Ken Morningstar, Valrico, FL on 02/21  at  11:19 AM

Enough is enough! According to the Tribune series, we have been hit with 2 “one-time” surcharges already. Rep Ross (Lakeland) in your article on 2/21 suggests that non-residents pay rates that coincide with the risks their properties face meaning their rates would probably double. Duh! I thought all insurance rates were based on risk factors. If they can afford to live in high risk areas, then they can afford to pay the higher insurance rates, and I don’t mean just the non-residents. Anyone who has the means to live in these areas must pay their own way. Those of us on fixed retirement incomes simply cannot, nor should we be forced to, subsidize their rates. Use some of the windfall surplus from the state budget to offset some of Citizen’s losses, adjust the rates for the high risk areas and fix the problem once and for all, which would require overriding the Governor’s veto as he does not intend to use any of the surplus for that.

Posted by  Ron Lisk, Wimauma,Fl. on 02/21  at  11:10 AM

When did the last major hurricane hit Hillsborough County? Where did all the money that was paid for insurance go during all the years there were no hurricanes? And if you want to live in harms way, YOU pay the price.

Posted by  RICHARD BRADY, SUN CITY CENTER, FL on 02/21  at  09:48 AM

AS LONG AS THERE ARE WEALTHY PEOPLE RUNNING THE GOVERNMENT AND INSURANCE COMPANIES, THEN THE POOR WILL HAVE TO SUPPORT WHATEVER THE WEALTHY WANT, RIGHT?  MAKE THE WEALTHY PAY HIGHER INSURANCE AND HIGHER TAXES IF THEY WANT TO LIVE IN HIGHER RISK AREAS ON THE COASTS. WE THE LOWER INCOME PEOPLE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THEIR LUXURIES!!!! OH AND DON’T FORGET TO VOTE!!!!!

Posted by  Ian M. Graham, Plant City, Florida, 33565 on 02/21  at  08:38 AM

I can understand why the rich do not want to share their income with the poor
but I fail to understand why money is taken from the poor to aid the rich.

To claim that People’s Insurance has to, by law, charge higher premiums than regular insurance companies because to not do so would constitute the state competing with private insurers, is a crock. The private insurers HAVE REFUSED to insure those who must turn to the state. How is that competition?

People’s insurance should be LOWER than private insurance premiums, because then the private insurers would have to actually BE competition instead of just crying “fowl” when the people get a break from the “robber baron” premiums of the private industry.

The citizens of this state are already forced to reimburse private insurers for their bad judgment calls, (insuring beach homes in low areas) now we are forced to underwrite through
“surcharge” premium payments, those same bad judgments. It is truly a crime against the people.

Posted by  LeRoy Johnson, Lakeland, FL on 02/21  at  05:43 AM

Why is it that we let situations get so out of control that we then must react to these situations.  Why can’t we plan ahead properly, intelligently, and use our resources for the most good for the most people. Seems to me that the City Planning Office and it’s staff have let us down.  Maybe a benevolent dictator is what we need!  Taxes on my old one-bedroom mobile home was $214.00 last year.  This year $609.00.

Posted by  Charles Ritzschke, Valrico on 02/21  at  02:50 AM

WOW!! People are finally taking notice of the this problem.  I HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT IT FOR over 25 years. Do you think the politicans are going to change anything when the “money” people want to build and rebuild in these floodprone areas? This a another “hidden” tax on those who can’t afford or elect not to live in flood prone areas. Finally, I don’t like the water and think it is unfair that I have to pay for someone to live there.

Posted by  Rob Schlachter, Clearwater on 02/20  at  10:29 PM

Building in low areas and by the water is risky.  The people who move there know that. The rest of us should not pay for people to move there.

Posted by  craig bonner, tampa on 02/20  at  10:01 PM

It should be a crime that the legislator’s and Governor Bush let the lobbyist’s for building contractor’s get away with this crime of subsidizing insurance.
The middle class people should be up in arms over this, and show how they feel when it comes election time. We should tell our insurance companies that we are not going to go along with this subsidizing.

Posted by  Joan Gearhart, Venice, FL on 02/20  at  05:14 PM

I am very upset at the thought of our funds potentially funding the rebuilding of these projects.  It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that if the water rises from a storm surge from a passing hurricane much less for one to come close to us that you are looking at severe water damage being so close to the water.  Now it they want to pay for it themselves, let them live whereever they want to live.  I also have made am informed decision not to carry hurricane coverage on my home, and instead spend the $3400.00 hurricane premium on hurricane upgrades and improvements to my property.  Yet I still have to pay a portion to the state for the hurricane fund.  If I am not covered for it, I shouldn’t have to pay into it.  Let’s guess that fund would go to help these idiots rebuild at a low cost loan or something subsidized from the money I have to pay to the state.  SOME DEFINATE REFORM IS NEEDED HERE ----

Posted by  J. Seeman, Zephyrhills, FL on 02/20  at  05:08 PM

I was born and raised in Florida.  Started out in Miami, and have lived and worked in several areas.  The coast line is somewhat more exposed to storms, but by no means the only park of Florida, Georgia, North/South Carolina, etc that is capable of receiving devistating storm damage.  There is storm exposure in ALL of these areas, not just on the coast, as some pelple have been led to believe.

Posted by  Aaron Becker, New Tampa on 02/20  at  01:54 PM

I believe that people or companies that choose to build on the water should be paying the absolute highest premiums for homeowners insurance.  If they choose to live in an ultra high risk area, then I say sock it to them!  If they have the money to pay for the super expensive property taxes in those areas, then obviously it should stand to reason that they have the money to pay for higher insurance premiums as well.  Why should people in the middle and low income brackets be forced to pay higher insurance premiums to cover the restoration of damaged property in high-risk areas that belong to the wealthy?

Posted by  Carol Arenz, St Petersburg on 02/20  at  01:07 PM

Farmers in the midwest, city dwellers in New York, or citizens in non-flood areas should not subsidize those who elect to live on the coast line.  All of Florida is headed the way of Key West--no affordable housing for regular folks.  Why?  Because they must subsidize development through their taxes for infrastructure and insurance premiums for wealthy coastal properties.  Our development in Florida is totally out of control with bigtime greed. Our legislators/leaders are selling out big time and should be voted out.  Every day there is more--recently Fort DeSoto park is under seige from our city fathers desire to build more and more.
Bottom line:  when homeowners re-build along the coast, they should bear the entire cost--not the rest of the citizens.  If you choose to have the benefits and beauty of the waterfront, you, and you alone should pay for it.  How much more can we pay for others chosen lifestyles?
PS-The Eagles said it best “Call a place Paradise, Kiss it Goodbye”

Posted by  Marian Dandridge, BROOKSVILLE on 02/20  at  12:07 PM

Stop the development!! I cannot afford to continue to pay for everyone elses foolish ideas that beauty at all cost is the way to go, even though those of us who cannot afford to pay, share in the cost of their “right” to enjoy the beauty of nature, meaning large expanses of water.

The fact is that the high ground of New Orleans and such places might be allowed to rebuild but not the below sea level and sea level areas.

Legislate common sense if we don’t have the natural intelligence to stop building at any cost with no regard for what the future outcome might be.

We can no longer afford to say that FEMA, the Red Cross, the government, etc.  should by there the next day to save us from out own follies.

Posted by  Chris Colli, Tampa on 02/20  at  11:22 AM

Did you take into account the property tax dollars that are generated from the home owners?  They pay higher taxes, higher insurance, have higher incomes, spend more money… If you make it harder for them to buy houses, job opportunities will decrease… if legislator passes a law that makes it difficult to build in Florida.  Developers and builders will go where it’s easier...and so will potential buyers.

Posted by  JOHN REBBERT, ODESSA, FL 33556 on 02/19  at  09:49 PM

A PERSON WHO HAS MADE A CHOICE TO LIVE ON THE COAST SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING THE INSURANCE COSTS THAT COME WITH LIVING AT THAT LOCATION. SINCE I HAVE DECIDED NOT TO LIVE DIRECTLY ON OR NEAR THE WATER I SHOULD NOT BE EXPECTED TO SHOULDER THE COST OF SOMEONE WHO HAS MADE A DECISION TO LIVE ON OR NEAR THE WATER.

Posted by  Laura Patch, Holiday, FL on 02/19  at  09:48 PM

My husband and I bought hazard and flood insurance.We don’t expect anyone else to pay our insurance costs or bail us out.Storm surge and hurricanes do what it is their nature to do.They take over and inundate everything in their path.Likewise,owner/developers expect us to pay part of their insurance costs.They don’t ask if its all right with you.Government won’t save you from them or anything else.Remember Hurricane Katrina.Water water everywhere and not a drop to drink.Take care of yourself.

Laura Patch

Posted by  Julie Bliss, Temple Terrace, FL on 02/19  at  12:50 PM

I think that it is wrong that the majority of homeowners are subsidizing those that insist on living right on the water.  Waterfront property is expensive, i.e. the majority is subsidizing the rich.  If you are going to buy a home than you should also be able to pay for the taxes and for the insurance that goes with it.  Not only do I think that those who insist on living right next to the water should pay a higher rate of insurance, but they should also get charged a higher rate of taxes.  Keep in mind not only does insurance pay for the homes that are destroyed it is also tax payer money that is used to rescue, protect, clean up, and then restore services to those areas that are damaged by storms.  Subsidizing insurance for those who insist on building million dollar homes that are in a storm’s path amounts to welfare paid for by the majority in this state.  It is welfare for the very rich.

Posted by  Steve Hippensteel, Valrico on 02/19  at  10:39 AM

I think the Florida legislature needs to enact legislation that ensures that those who choose to develop propeties along our coastlines foot the entire bill for their property insurance.  I think it’s a crime to continue the practice of subsidizing insurance premiums for million dollar property owners along the coast.

Posted by  Helen R. Engel, Sun City Center, FL on 02/19  at  09:51 AM

Why is that when a “homeless” person is seen sleeping on cardboard/heat producing grates we walk around them and pretend we don’t see them, while at the same time when a hurricane or some other disaster destroys a million dollar home and creates a “homeless” rich person, we rebuild it at the expense of the people who cannot afford a home on the beach?  What’s wrong with this picture?  Cancel their insurance and see how often they rebuild. It’s easy with someone else’s money.  As a retiree on a fixed income, we can’t afford to subsidize this luxury with higher premiums.

Posted by  Linda Dusang, Troy OH on 02/19  at  02:32 AM

I left FL in 2004 having lived in NW Pasco County for more than 24 years.  Homeowners insurance was becoming almost impossible to afford if you could get it back then.  Between sinkholes and hurricanes, you’re held hostage by insurance companies.  From what friends tell me, prices have gone through the roof and it’s unlikely I’ll ever be able to afford to move back.  My friends are all telling me how much their insurance is costing them to live in their modest homes, away from the water.  It isn’t fair that those who don’t live on the water are stuck footing the bill for wealthy residents and developers.  At this rate Florida will eventually become a place where only the rich people can afford to live.  What a shame.

Posted by  valerie visnage,  on 02/18  at  12:05 PM

When we purchased our home we did so because of its elevation and location. If home owners want to live in areas that are susceptible to flooding during storms they should pay for the insurance premiums for re-building after flooding.  It is not fair to expect homeowners with fixed incomes in “C” zones to absorb their costs when they don’t enjoy the emenities of waterfront living.  Our rising insurance rates might eventually force us to move from Florida and we have lived here all of our lives.  It is ironic that the current taxes and home insurance premiums now equal the mortgage payment PLUS taxes and Ins, that we once paid.  Not the retirement situation we planned.

Valerie Visnage
Seminole

Posted by  Virginia Martin, Holiday Florida 34690 on 02/18  at  10:32 AM

If the rich people can aford to continue building on the coast and enjoy the view. Let them cut down on some of there luxuries and pay there own taxes. Instead of the poor people that can not aford the beutiful view needing to cut down on neccessities to pay there insurance bills.
If we need to build there put parks with only bathrooms to replace that would cut back a lot of insurance expense and everyone could enjoy it.
If they want to make money they could build private parks and charge to go in then the people who have the money could still enjoy the park. and the ones who don’t have the money could just not go, like they handle every luxury.