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Senate Bill 876, a measure that would allow property insurers to raise rates without regulatory approval, will not become law.
Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton has withdrawn his support as the bill's sponsor, acknowledging that Gov. Charlie Crist would likely veto the bill if it passed.
A vote on the bill's companion in the House, HB 447, was postponed as well.
As Gov. Crist's disaffiliation from the GOP appears likely in his preparation to run for U.S. Senate as an Independent, state Republicans may be acting to limit the senatorial candidate's opportunities to win the support of Democrats.
"They've already helped him enough,” says Rep. Ron Saunders, R-Key West, referring to Crist's recent vetoes of the teacher tenure and leadership funding bills. “Why would you vote for an insurance increase when they know the governor will veto it?”
“All along he's been saying, 'Make my day,'” Saunders said. “They don't want to help him anymore.”
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