Florida CFO Jeff Atwater says Cali worked hard for their A-credit rating

Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater fielded questions ranging from pensions to homeowner’s insurance at a nonpartisan political forum Thursday in St. Petersburg. Members of the Suncoast Tiger Bay Club grilled Atwater about what’s being done to stamp out problems with Citizen’s Property Insurance.

Atwater was referring to a report released by the government run insurance program that uncovered an embarrassing list of alleged transgressions within the organization. But Atwater also pointed out that the soaring costs of homeowners insurance paired with the diminishing of coverage will get better.

Atwater was also questioned about the state’s pension system which has become the center of controversy because of attempts to roll state workers retirement plans from the traditional defined benefit program to a 401k-style system. Critics argue the change would hurt workers who may end up having to save more to meet their financial needs after retirement. Atwater didn’t weigh in on the advantages or disadvantages, but did say the current system is OK.