TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (CBSMiami) – Citizens Property Insurance, which is backed by the state of Florida, has become the lifeline for property insurance in the state and the target of Governor Rick Scott.

In the upcoming legislative session, Citizens will likely once again take center stage as different aspects of the insurer will be discussed by legislators.

Under a plan approved in December, Citizens will have the power to raise its rates more quickly and would allow the insurer to charge more to policy owners in higher risk areas of the state, like along the beach.

Scott has made it no secret that he would prefer that the state not be involved in the insurance business and instead have citizens buy private insurance.

Scott argues that by separating Citizens from the state would help taxpayers not be at risk in the event of a catastrophic hurricane.

The problem with Scott’s plan is that for most South Florida homeowners, Citizens is the only insurance they can afford and still make their mortgage payments.

Citizens currently has around 1.5 million policy holders in the state of Florida.