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Over the last two days, Congressman Joe Garcia hosted senior leaders from the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) in his district for a discussion on the future of the the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) in Florida, and the implementation of H.R. 3370 – the Homeowners Flood Insurance Affordability Act. In total, three meetings were held across Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties, where various elected officials, industry representatives, business associations, watchdog organizations, and concerned and active citizens were in attendance.

Tallahassee, FL - July 3, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Florida House Speaker Will Weatherford (R-Wesley Chapel) today reappointed Chris Gardner to the Board of Governors for Citizens Property Insurance Corporation. Gardner’s reappointment is effective today for a three-year term.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - March 17, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Tonight, the Senate passed the House version of the flood bill, the Homeowner’s Flood Insurance Affordability Act, by an overwhelming majority in a 72-22 vote

Miami, Florida - March 12, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen voted for the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act. The bill, which Ros-Lehtinen co-sponsored, will work to make flood insurance more affordable for South Floridians and nationwide. Some of the bill’s notable provisions are

WASHINGTON, D.C. - March 6, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) released the following statement after the passage of H.R. 3370, The Homeowner Flood Insurance Act of 2014:

WASHINGTON, DC - February 10, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman Joe Garcia joined House Democrats as they attempted to use a procedural move to bring a strongly bipartisan flood insurance reform bill, the Homeowner’s Flood Insurance Affordability Act, to a vote.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - February 6, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Florida Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (FAPIA) today released the following statements in reaction to the recent reported arrests in connection with the insurance fraud investigation, “Operation Flames and Flood”. The two public adjusters arrested were not and have never been members of the Florida Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (FAPIA).

Washington, DC - February 4, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congresswoman Lois Frankel today called on the House to consider the bipartisan bill the Senate passed last week to delay flood insurance premium rate hikes by four years for homeowners.

TALLAHASSEE - February 4, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- CFO Jeff Atwater today announced the arrests of 14 individuals following a joint investigation between the State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Miami-Dade Police Department’s Arson Unit. “Operation Flames and Floods,” as it was termed upon its inception in November 2012, exposed an extensive scheme to defraud several insurance companies by staging fire and water damage claims to residential homes in Miami-Dade County, Lehigh Acres and Naples. The losses exceeded several million dollars after 13 homes were set on fire and five more reported extensive water damage

WASHINGTON, D.C. - January 29, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman Alan Grayson (FL-09) has introduced twelve bills aimed at continuing certain tax deductions and credits for one year. These provisions, which save Americans money and boost the economy, have already expired or will expire this year.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - January 16, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Rep. Steve Southerland, II praised House and Senate negotiators for including a provision yesterday in the 2014 Omnibus Spending bill delaying flood insurance rate increase due to reforms in FEMA’s Flood Insurance Rate Maps. Southerland voted for the amendment in June and signed a letter to House leadership in September urging the language be included in the 2014 spending bill.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - January 15, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL) announced today that relief from flood insurance rate increases is contained in the 2014 Omnibus Appropriations Act, which likely will be voted on by the House of Representatives tomorrow.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - August 8, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Please see the attached letter from Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater to Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty regarding the reinsurance market and the cost of property insurance for Floridians. The language of the letter is also copied below.

Tallahassee, FL - August 5, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Florida House Speaker Will Weatherford (R-Wesley Chapel) today appointed former State Representative Gary Aubuchon to the Board of Governors for Citizens Property Insurance Corporation. Aubuchon’s appointment is effective today

WASHINGTON, DC - May 23, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The House Committee on Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance announced its newest addition today: Rep. Dennis Ross (FL-15). Ross replaces outgoing member Rep. Jim Renacci, who moved to the Committee on Ways and Means.

TALLAHASSEE, FL - May 13, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater announced today the arrests of Derek Shawn Kellog, 31, Crawfordville; Corey Jermaine Brownlee, 30, Jacksonville; and Sean McCaslin, 49, Tallahassee; employees of Roofmasters, Inc., for acting as unlicensed public adjusters while soliciting homeowners for roof repairs in the Tallahassee area.

TALLAHASSEE - March 14, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater today announced the arrest of Timothy Wayne Sexton, 25, owner of Plumbing Rescue Company located in Tampa. On several occasions Plumbing Rescue employees allegedly pressured homeowners into completing thousands of dollars in unnecessary plumbing repairs by using scare tactics and false statements.

TALLAHASSEE - February 18, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater today released the following statement regarding Citizens Property Insurance Corporation’s plans to comply with state procurement guidelines outlined in section 287.057, Florida Statutes. “Citizens has taken the appropriate action by complying with the more stringent laws and rules that govern purchasing at state agencies.

Washington, DC - February 11, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, the Office of Congresswoman Frederica Wilson (D-FL) hosted a Congressional briefing on Capitol Hill to inform policymakers of critical proposals to reduce the cost and increase the availability of homeowners’ insurance. The briefing featured senior economist and policy analyst Rawle King of the Congressional Research Service. Congresswoman Wilson issued the following statement:

WASHINGTON, D.C. - February 1, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Atwater today announced the arrest of Miami public adjuster Roberto Alvarez, 44, for allegedly submitting more than $270,000 in fraudulent homeowners insurance claims. Also arrested were four homeowners whom Alvarez recruited to participate in the scheme to defraud. “Floridians are already facing high property insurance costs without fraud pushing rates even higher,” CFO Atwater said. “We will catch those who break the law and steal from their fellow Floridians.