News & Public Affairs

Tampa Bay homeowners outraged over Citizens sinkhole insurance rate hikes

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Tags: Citizens Property Insurance, sinkholes, sinkhole, sb 408, insurance rates, insurance, insurance industry, mortgages, fraud, Mike Fasano

More than a hundred furious protestors shouted and waved signs outside Pasco County government offices yesterday. They rallied to protest massive rate hikes proposed for sinkhole insurance coverage.

Last year there were far more sinkhole rate claims in the Tampa Bay area than in previous years. While many say the drought is to blame, some politicians in Tallahassee think fraud is at work. So State Senate Bill 408 was written to address the fraud, but also did away with a 10% annual rate h...

Environmental activist concerned about toxins from landfill sinkhole getting into aquifer listen

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Tags: landfill, sinkhole, Hillsborough County, toxins, water, aquifer, Waste Management

On Tuesday, a large sinkhole opened in a southeast Hillsborough County landfill. Some environmentalists are concerned the toxins from the landfill could contaminate the aquifer.

The 25-year-old landfill is operated by Waste Management and according to the county's website, the facility receives non-processable solid waste, shredded tires and demolition debris. I only has a clay lining.

Vivian Bacca is a board member of United Citizens Action Network and is active in community and enviro...