SWFL.io - Local NewsPUNTA GORDA, Fla. — Florida’s lieutenant governor visited Punta Gorda Monday to meet with local leaders and hear what Southwest Florida communities still recovering from recent hurricanes need from the state.
Jay Collins met with city and county leaders, law enforcement and workers at LTC Rentals.
Collins said he has a personal connection to the area after helping with hurricane recovery efforts following Hurricane Ian.
“I fed a million-plus meals after Hurricane Ian from Punta Gorda all the way down south,” Collins said. “It’s a special place in your heart when you’ve walked door to door and seen people in the community on their hardest day.”
During the visit, Collins asked local leaders what they need most from the state.
Punta Gorda City Councilman Greg Julian said many residents are still rebuilding years after Hurricane Ian, and hurricanes Helene and Milton.
“Insurance has been a problem for lots of folks,” Julian said. “Many homes are just now getting their roofs replaced from Ian more than almost three years ago now.”
Julian also raised concerns about the state’s Elevate Florida program, which helps homeowners raise flood-prone homes to reduce future storm damage.
“We were asking for help with Elevate Florida as well,” Julian said. “There just isn’t enough money in that program. We had, I think, 120 applicants, and four got accepted into the program.”
Collins said Florida’s insurance market has improved since lawmakers passed major reforms several years ago, though he acknowledged many homeowners are still feeling the impact of high costs.
“I think we were down to one insurance company right outside of state insurance, and that’s really bad,” Collins said. “There’s no competition, so rates were through the roof.”
He said there are now 17 insurance companies operating in Florida, with more entering the market.
“More competition — that’s going to help drive rates down,” Collins said.
Collins also said delays in rebuilding homes after storms can contribute to higher insurance costs.
“One of the things we get feedback on is how long this process takes,” Collins said. “Everybody wants to get their returns, get their roof on and get this process done quicker and more efficiently.”
He said the state may still be able to make changes to improve how the system works.
“There are some things in tort reform where we can clean up some language,” Collins said. “And from a transparency side, we can help tune that up and clean that up.”
Collins added that permitting delays and impact fees can increase rebuilding costs — which can also push insurance prices higher.
“One of the things we need to talk about is when we build homes, there’s an indwelling cost issue with impact fees and permitting as well,” Collins said. “That whole process has added cost everywhere.”
When asked about Elevate Florida, Collins said the program saw a surge in applications after recent hurricanes.
“I know that there were a ton of people that applied for Elevate Florida all at once,” Collins said. “It really flooded the zone.”
He said funding could be part of the issue.
“Definitely funding is part of that, getting money in there to help fill that program,” Collins said.
Collins said he does not currently have full details about the program’s funding levels but plans to follow up.
“Let me get back to the House, get some more details,” Collins said.
Collins also said state leaders are discussing property tax relief as part of broader efforts to address affordability.
He said lowering property taxes on homesteaded properties could help homeowners.
“The American dream is predicated on home ownership,” Collins said. “Everybody wants to own their home.”
When asked whether similar relief could help renters, Collins said his focus is on policies that make it easier for people to buy homes.
“I really want people to be able to own their homes,” Collins said.
Collins said lawmakers may need additional time to finalize Florida’s state budget before the legislative session ends.
Differences between the House and Senate spending plans could lead to an extension or special session, he said.
“Sometimes politics gets in the way,” Collins said. “Right now I think there’s just a little bit different approach in what the Senate wants to fund versus what the House wants to fund.”
Collins is also running for governor in 2026