Former Senator Jeff Brandes Critiques David Jolly's Hurricane Insurance Plan, Citing Taxpayer Risk
Former Florida state Senator Jeff Brandes has voiced strong criticism against David Jolly's proposed hurricane insurance plan for Florida, warning that it could expose taxpayers to significant financial risk. Brandes, who is also the founder and president of the Florida Policy Project, argues that Jolly's plan, which suggests expanding the existing Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund (Cat Fund) to fully absorb hurricane and wind coverage, does not genuinely reduce insurance premiums or risk. Instead, he contends it merely shifts a greater portion of that risk onto Florida's taxpayers and policyholders. Brandes emphasizes that while the appeal of lower premiums is understandable, changing who finances hurricane damage does not diminish the actual cost or frequency of hurricanes. He points to a Florida State University study that estimated such a structure could increase the state's risk exposure by at least $20 billion, effectively creating a 'hurricane tax' through potential post-storm assessments. 
