At The James Madison Institute we strive to protect and preserve all that's great about our state. As promised in our last email, we've included highlights from JMI's efforts in just the past few weeks. We've been doing so much, but there's still so much to do!
We hope you'll consider JMI as you think through your year-end giving. Whether you make a one-time gift or join us as a member, you're helping us light the path to guide our state in the right direction and making a lasting impact on everyday life for all!
The JMI staff and board send holiday cheer your way! We sincerely thank you for your dedication to caring for our state and her people.
In This Issue
– JMI's Newest Centers
– 2013 Committee Weeks
*Property Insurance
*Juvenile Justice
*Medical Malpractice
*Freedom of Contract
– Stephen Hayes in Naples
– Featured Friends of JMI
– American Cause Seminars
– Progress Florida Attack
Upcoming
– Holiday Open House
– Committee Weeks and Legislative Session
– New JMI Publications
– Thrift Week
– National School Choice Week
– JMI's Florida Verve
Don't Forget!
JOIN US ON DECEMBER 17 IN TALLAHASSEE!
Celebrate the spirit of the season at JMI's Holiday Open House at our headquarters, The Columns. We will be collecting unwrapped gifts and monetary donations to give to Toys for Tots. Complimentary drinks and hors d'oeuvres will be served. We look forward to seeing you!
What: The James Madison Institute's Holiday Open House benefitting The U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots Program
When: Tuesday, December 17, 2013 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Where: JMI Headquarters, The Columns, 100 North Duval Street, Tallahassee, FL 32301 RSVP by phone: Jenny Stone @ 850-386-3131
RSVP online: http://jmi-holidayopenhouse.eventbrite.com
Connect with JMI!
Upcoming
Keep reading your emails for updates on JMI efforts in the coming 2014 Legislative Committee Weeks and Session.
In early 2014 JMI will release several publications including The Journal, a Backgrounder on performance incentive funding in the justice system, a policy brief on public employee pensions, health care, occupational licensing issues, and more! Watch for them in your inbox!
JMI will celebrate Thrift Week (Jan. 17-23) and National School Choice Week (Jan. 26 – Feb 1) in the new year. Lots more to come on those two fronts!
FloridaVerve.org: We're just getting started with http://floridaverve.org/to engage the culture for a different take on Florida. Follow @vervefl on Twitter!
JMI's Newest Centers
This year JMI launched three new Centers:
K. Earl Durden Center for Advancement of Liberty – Includes JMI's Liberty Library at our headquarters The Columns and guides overall outreach to further the support of JMI's efforts and the principles that guide our mission.
Preston A. Wells, Jr. Center for American Ideals – Advances JMI's civics and economic outreach to young people across Florida. JMI will launch a resource website for teachers and high school students dedicated to these topics early next year.
Carol and Barney Barnett Young Leaders Center – Houses our college internship program that attracts more than 100 applicants each year from various majors and hometowns.
Next year we will be establishing more Centers under the JMI umbrella. Your support is always welcome to advance our current Centers and establish new ones. Let us know if you're interested in supporting a particular issue. Stay tuned for more on this exciting development!
2013 Legislative Committee Weeks
JMI took full advantage of the 2013 Legislative Committee Weeks. We've highlighted select efforts on a few policy priority issues below.
Property Insurance In partnership with Washington D.C. based R Street Institute, we released our latest Backgrounder, Ten Reforms to Fix Florida’s Property Insurance Marketplace — Without Raising Rates.
“Loopholes in the legal process have created fraud, increased litigation and unprincipled claims practices,” Dr. Bob McClure, JMI president and CEO stated in the press release. “It’s unfortunate that interconnected policies pursued by the Legislature, previous governors, and the Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) have led to a dysfunctional property insurance system – one that has distorted pricing, undermined competition, and placed a heavy burden on the state’s taxpayers.”
This report has already been sought after by members of the Florida Legislature and continues JMI's drumbeat of the need for reform regarding Citizens Property Insurance and the CAT Fund. Read a recent guest column in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel that mentions the study here.
“Loopholes in the legal process have created fraud, increased litigation and unprincipled claims practices,” said Dr. Bob McClure, JMI president and CEO. “It’s unfortunate that interconnected policies pursued by the Legislature, previous governors, and the Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) have led to a dysfunctional property insurance system – one that has distorted pricing, undermined competition, and placed a heavy burden on the state’s taxpayers.” – See more at: http://www.jamesmadison.org/issues/backgrounder-ten-reforms-to-fix-florida%e2%80%99s-property-insurance-marketplace-%e2%80%94-without-raising-rates.html#sthash.kILToOf4.dpuf
Juvenile Justice
JMI's President Dr. Bob McClure testified in front of the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee as its members work through changes to the Florida Chapter 985 code rewrite regarding juvenile justice laws. Dr. McClure stated, "The evidence is clear that arresting kids for minor crimes and misbehavior, things that got an after-school detention or perhaps grounded for a couple of weeks back in the day, we would argue, locking them up does not enhance public safety." Read coverage of the issue from First Coast News here.
?JMI, along with our partner The Florida State University's Project on Accountable Justice (PAJ), has also held several events over the past few months to highlight the need for reform in Florida's juvenile justice system. The first "A Tale of Two States," a public forum that brought in representatives from Georgia to discuss their state's full support and strides in comprehensive justice reform. JMI's Dr. McClure moderated the panel (below picture). The full event was captured on video here. Read coverage from WFSU/Florida Public Radio Network here.
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