What was the purpose of the forum with Citizens Insurance?

What was the purpose of the public forum on Citizens Insurance that took place in New Port Richey yesterday? This meeting that was set up by Senator Fasano and was conducted in a venue that was not designed to handle a public forum of this nature. The majority of the people had to wait outside, in line, just for a chance to speak about the problems they are facing with Citizens Insurance. Short tempers were not satisfied by this forum that had been billed as an opportunity for the community to speak its mind with the executives of Citizens Insurance. The citizens seeking answers to this insurance crisis were even more frustrated at the conclusion of this forum because they were given no real solutions. Many elected officials spoke at this forum but the one most noteworthy was Tom Gallagher, Chief Financial Officer for the State of Florida, and a member of Governor Bush's Cabinet. Mr. Gallagher has been attempting to ease the burden to all property owners with insurance since the last Legislative session. Last year he proposed using the excess sales tax money from the construction industry, generated from hurricane rebuilding, be earmarked to correct the problems in the homeowners insurance industry but he was ignored by the Florida Legislature. Mr. Gallagher, again, has proposed the Legislature use some of its estimated $3.2-billion surplus tax this year to ease the burden on homeowners insurance. To this proposal, he was booed by the audience. Mr. Gallagher was later chastised by Senator Fasano for arriving "uninvited" to this open, public forum and leaving early to make an appointment in Plant City. Mr. Gallagher should be commended for having the intestinal fortitude to for meet this insurance crisis head-on by explaining the facts, and not trying to shift blame, like other elected officials. The key component to this entire insurance crisis lies at the feet of the Florida Legislature to correct problems that now exist in this state run insurance company, called Citizens Insurance. This state run insurance system was created in the Florida Legislature in the early 1990's, after the devastation of Hurricane Andrew, and now needs to be critically examined during this Legislative year. The Florida Legislature will need to enact dramatic changes so the average homeowner can continue insurance coverage on their most precious investment, their homes. The political grandstanding that took place at yesterday's meeting accomplished absolutely nothing to answer the cries for help in easing the burden created by this insurance crisis . What was accomplished yesterday at this public forum? You be the judge of that question when you open your insurance premium notice this year.