Government Digest 11/27/09

Commissioner oversight
TALLAHASSEE — The state's insurance morass and discontentment with Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty is generating legislation requiring the governor, cabinet and Senate to reconfirm the appointment of the state insurance commissioner every two years. Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, chairman of the Policy and Steering Committee on Commerce and Industry, is sponsoring the bill, SB 740. McCarty has been under fire for his role in Gov. Charlie Crist's veto of the Consumer Choice Act, which would have allowed highly capitalized property and casualty insurance companies meeting other requirements to charge market-based rates. A revised version of the Consumer Choice Act is expected to be filed in December.

Master plan adopted
PASCO COUNTY — The county commission recently adopted a strategic master plan for the Lacoochee-Trilby area. County staff has worked for months with community residents, social service agencies and other governmental organizations to create the plan, which addresses road improvements, beautification, job creation, recreation and preservation of environmental lands. The county will look at options for funding the plan, including public-private partnerships, tax-increment financing through the creation of a community redevelopment agency, and grants.

Pasco EDC hires CEO
PASCO COUNTY — The Pasco Economic Development Council, Inc. has hired John L. Hagen as its new president and CEO. Hagen will transition into his role during December and begin leading the EDC full-time Jan. 2. Hagen is a 30-year veteran of the economic development profession. Since 2004, he has been the economic development director for the city of Surprise, Ariz. Prior to that he was the executive director of the Anderson Corporation for Economic Development in Madison County, Indiana, a position he held from 1986 to 2004. John Walsh will remain as interim president until Hagen starts.