On the first day of Florida’s new legislative term, the state’s Republican leadership took a surprising turn, voicing sharp criticisms of insurance companies and private equity firms. House Speaker Danny Perez and Senate President Ben Albritton signaled a departure from traditional GOP priorities, instead addressing affordability and corporate accountability as their primary concerns.
Tough Words for Insurance Companies
Senate President Albritton took direct aim at insurers, warning them about the timely payment of claims. “I want to make sure that impacted Floridians and insurance companies hear me loudly and clearly — we are watching,” he said to applause.
Albritton’s stance reflects growing frustration over rising premiums and denied claims, issues that have drawn ire across party lines. Years of reforms have favored insurers, leading critics, including former President Donald Trump, to call these changes a “bailout” for the industry.
Perez echoed these sentiments, pointing out that Floridians don’t want “insurance laws written by insurance companies.” His comments signal a willingness to revisit past legislation that has arguably contributed to the state’s insurance crisis.
Bipartisan Praise
The leaders’ populist tone drew praise from their Democratic colleagues, who have long pushed for stricter accountability measures for insurers.
“When’s the last time you heard a [Senate] president talk about holding a professional organization accountable?” asked Senate Minority Leader Jason Pizzo.
House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell was similarly supportive. “For too long, Republicans in Tallahassee have placed the wish list of insurance companies ahead of the needs of homeowners,” she said, emphasizing her hope that this shift will lead to meaningful reforms.
Addressing Florida’s Affordability Crisis
House Speaker Perez, a 37-year-old lawyer and son of Cuban immigrants, outlined a single-word priority for the next two years: affordability. He highlighted concerns over the cost of living, particularly housing affordability, as a pressing issue threatening Florida’s ability to retain its workforce.
“I don’t want to lose that next generation of talent to another state because the affordability of this state has gone too high,” Perez told reporters.
Perez pointed to private equity firms snapping up homes as a significant contributor to the crisis. A Tampa Bay Times investigation revealed that corporate investors own 117,000 homes across Florida, with over 70% tied to Wall Street and private equity firms in some counties.
“Floridians want to own their own homes, not be tenants to private equity firms,” Perez said.
However, Senate President Albritton was less enthusiastic about targeting corporate landlords, framing the issue as a “free market” matter.
A Rural Renaissance
Albritton, a fourth-generation citrus farmer, emphasized his commitment to revitalizing Florida’s agricultural sector. He called for a “rural renaissance” to save the state’s citrus industry and protect its environmental resources.
This focus aligns with Albritton’s legislative track record, which includes efforts to support foster care, agriculture, and water conservation. His past, however, isn’t without controversy. In 2014, an ethics investigation questioned his role in a high-dollar development project. Although no violations were found, the incident remains a point of contention.
Changing Legislative Dynamics
Both leaders have promised to shake up how the Legislature operates. Albritton called for thorough studies before passing reforms, citing years of insurance legislation enacted without evidence of its efficacy.
Perez announced new rules for the House, banning former legislators representing corporate interests from the chamber floor during sessions. “This loophole allowed for de facto lobbying,” he said, signaling a push for greater transparency.
The leaders also declined Governor Ron DeSantis’ request for a special legislative session to address condominium safety issues. Instead, they plan to tackle the matter during the regular session in March.
Key Issues Off the Table
Despite voter support for amendments on recreational marijuana and abortion rights, neither leader indicated plans to address these issues. Both also dismissed calls to investigate DeSantis’ use of taxpayer money to oppose these amendments, with Albritton defending the spending as “reasonable.”
