Dear editor,
I worked with Bill Nelson from 1997 – 2000. He was not in Congress or Washington DC at the time, but he was serving Florida directly in the combined role of state treasurer and insurance commissioner in Tallahassee. He had been doing this elected job since 1994.
I was serving in the actuarial capacity for the FLPCJUA (the Florida Property and Casualty Joint Underwriting Association) at that time. Called the JUA, this was an insurance company of last resort for Florida homeowners. The JUA had to match the highest rates of all insurance companies who were still providing homeowners policies in the state of Florida. After three insurance companies turned you down for insurance, we were allowed to write you, so you would not stay uninsured.
Bill Nelson was extremely frustrated that Florida citizens were denied coverage by regular insurance companies. Bill worked relentlessly trying to de-populate the JUA. In other words, get homeowners out of the state ‘assigned risk’ program and back to an approved insurance carrier. I applaud him for all his efforts in this regard. When he left his insurance commissioner position and became our state senator, I think the JUA policy count had been reduced from near 1,000,000 to under 300,000. Florida benefited from his effort.
Bill, as I knew him, was an energetic, concerned and relentless guy. He was always ready to listen and always pushed for positive results.
So, this political BS about 46 years in an empty suit is just that. Bill has been working for you and me with integrity, morality, and character ever since I’ve known him.
In this Trump era of character assassination and degradation by both sides I just thought it might be useful for you to know Bill Nelson a little more personally.
JIM MOORE
Pace
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This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Comments on Senator Bill Nelson