Crist says insurance bill won’t pass

A plan that could raise rates for policy holders with Citizens Property Insurance as much as 20 percent is excessive, Gov. Charlie Crist said yesterday, adding that the bill is unlikely to pass the state legislature. The plan would also require the state pension fund to lend $2 billion to the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund if there’s a major story. Last year, Florida paid $224 million for a loan guarantee from Berkshire Hathaway of up to $4 billion. Crist is seeking federal help this year.