You may have noticed some changes in our magazine and web site over the past several months. Our web content has become more robust, and our magazine page designs have undergone some streamlining. With this issue, we complete our "tweaks." Our table of contents is now two pages. The first page highlights our cover story, features, and columnists. Our regular contributors have been given designated column names so you can more readily find your favorites. The second page offers information on accessing and contributing to our online content, and we have introduced a graphic entitled "Florida by the Numbers," which offers a snapshot of recurring state and insurance statistics.

Perhaps our most exciting change is the formation of our first-ever editorial advisory board. Eight Florida insurance experts are graciously volunteering their time and expertise to ensure that Florida Underwriter continues to serve the interest of its readers. In addition to helping me stay informed on all the "hot topics," board members will regularly offer commentary on the insurance market, its politics, regulations, trends, and pressing issues. In our inaugural "The Inside View" on page 22, advisory board member Mike Colodny speaks out about our troubled property insurance market. Be sure to check out our back page in this and future issues for compelling thoughts from our industry experts.

Speaking of change, the slate of contenders hankering to be our new governor is now set: For the Democrats, current CFO Alex Sink; for the Republicans, newcomer Rick Scott. Lawton "Bud" Chiles III also is running — although I am hard pressed to understand why. While some people initially thought that his Independent candidacy would be harmful to Sink, that may not be the case. A Public Policy Poll released the day after the primary said, "Republicans hope that Bud Chiles will play a spoiler role for Sink's chances this fall but at this point he's actually getting eight percent of GOP votes and only six percent of Democratic votes, suggesting that for now his presence in the race is hurting Scott."