Rumored Ouster Of Fla. Insurance Commissioner Makes Waves
January 19, 2015 by Charles Elmore, The Palm Beach Post, Fla.
Jan. 16–Gov. Rick Scott’s office offered no direct comments Thursday about rumors the state’s long-serving insurance commissioner is on the way out, but a spokeswoman noted it’s “good to get fresh ideas and leadership” in a second term.
A spokesman for Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater of North Palm Beach said “absolutely not” when asked if he had agreed to a deal to dump Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty.
For his part, McCarty is concentrating on his work, an aide said.
“Commissioner McCarty is focused on doing his job,” said Monte Stevens, deputy chief of staff. “He has spent this week speaking to hundreds of corporate executives and investors, encouraging them to bring their capital to Florida. He has also met with Legislative leaders to discuss what may be on the horizon during the 2015 session.”
The talk comes amid the outster this week of Gerald Bailey as commissioner of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, complete with an awkward back and forth about whether he resigned or was pushed out. Pushed out, Bailey said.
Asked about the top job at the Office of Insurance Regulation, Scott’s communications director Jackie Schutz offered a statement.
“Government too often gets stuck in a rut and doesn’t like to change,” her statement said. “But, just like in business – it is good to get fresh ideas and new leadership, especially as we move into a second term. Executive office positions are not lifetime appointments and for the same reason there are term limits in elected office – it is important to search for the best and newest ideas whenever possible. In regards to OIR, we have no announcements at this time.”
The rumblings have registered in the blogosphere, with one report Thursday suggesting the move comes amid pressure from the insurance lobby to get someone more to their liking. A formal ouster would likely require Cabinet support including a crucial vote from Atwater.
“Absolutely not,” said CFO spokeswoman Ashley Carr, asked whether Atwater has agreed to get rid of McCarty. “Transparency and measured deliberation about the changing of those in leadership positions is important.”
McCarty has 26 years of experience in state government, including his current appointed role since 2003. He has served across administrations perceived as alternately adversarial and sympathetic to the insurance industry. He has had a national as well as statewide presence. In 2012, he served as the president of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
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