Commissioner's claims thinning out

State Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty's claims of new capital propping up the property insurance market are again being called out — and this time some powerful people in the state are taking notice.

The claims were the basis for Gov. Charlie Crist's June veto of The Consumer Choice Act, legislation allowing some property insurers to set higher rates. But the Review questioned McCarty's claims in a July story, concerns noted by subsequent editorials in at least two daily newspapers.

Seeking clarification, Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink asked McCarty to back up his numbers for a Cabinet meeting held earlier this month. Sink, a gubernatorial candidate, oversees McCarty's office.