Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report–Friday, August 1, 2014
Aug 1, 2014
To go directly to the section of your choice, click on a hyperlink below. Other hyperlinks to meeting information, bills and news are noted in bold type.
Daily Florida Insurance-Related Events
There are no events scheduled for today.
Daily Florida Insurance-Related News
Florida Governor Scott wants the head of Citizens Property Insurance to explain travel costs
Florida Governor Rick Scott is demanding that the head of the state’s largest property insurer explain travel expenses, the Associated Press reports via The Republic.
For Sale: A Nearly Nonexistent Insurance Agency
Nationstar and Assurant Inc. reached a deal to settle a class-action lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida that alleged Harwood Service Agency existed solely to “funnel profits” to Nationstar at the borrowers’ expense, the Associated Press reports via ABC News.
Nelson presses Congress, Obama on Chinese drywall
U.S. Senator Bill Nelson blasted the Chinese makers of faulty drywall this week, urging President Barack Obama and Congress to take more steps to protect Florida homeowners affected by the product. Nelson’s speech comes amid a new lawsuit from Louisiana and Florida homeowners who say bad Chinese drywall wrecked their homes, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune’s Josh Salman reports.
Federated National Holding Company Announces Pricing of $40 Million Offering of Common Stock
Federated National Holding Company, a Florida-based provider of insurance, announced in a press release today that it has priced an underwritten public offering of 2,051,283 shares of its common stock at a price to the public of $19.50 per share for gross proceeds of $40.0 million.
Road clearing for ride-sharing in Tampa
Could Lyft go legit in Hillsborough County by Christmas? That’s entirely possible if all things go according to plan, according to public transportation officials, who are now in direct talks with Lyft and other ride-sharing car services over how to let them operate in Hillsborough County – legitimately. Richard Mullins reports for the Tampa Tribune.
Pasco Tax Collector Mike Fasano announces partnership with AAA
Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano and AAA’s Auto Club Group Traffic Safety Foundation (ACG Traffic Safety Foundation) are joining forces to encourage motorists in Pasco County to take extra precaution and drive safely, Peter Schorsch reports for SaintPetersBlog.com.
Florida Doctors, Health Firms to Appeal “Docs vs. Glocks” Gun Speech Law
Doctors and health care providers challenging a Florida gun law say they will appeal a recent decision to uphold the measure, the Associated Press reports.
U.S. Senator Bill Nelson Speaks Out on Florida’s Unregulated Health Insurance Rates
U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) spoke on the Senate floor yesterday about Florida’s Republican-led government allowing health insurers to raise rates unchecked. A video and transcript of his prepared remarks are included.
Judge throws write-in candidate off ballot, canceling primary in House District 64
Until Thursday, it looked like state Rep. Jamie Grant would know within a few weeks whether he’d get to keep his job representing the citizens of Carrollwood, Citrus Park, Oldsmar and Safety Harbor. Tampa Bay Times’ Tia Mitchell reports.
Florida Health Department holds second workshop on medical marijuana
After an initial meeting last month prompted scores of questions about Florida’s new medical marijuana law, state officials will conduct a second workshop today on the non-euphoric, liquid product expected to be available January 1, the Palm Beach Post’s John Kennedy reports in the “Post on Politics” blog.
Florida TaxWatch and Florida Ports Council Release Port Governance Analysis
Florida TaxWatch and the Florida Ports Council reviewed port governance, examining how the Sunshine State’s ports were doing as they ready for the Panama Canal expansion, Kevin Derby reports for SunshineStateNews.com.
U.S. Attorney General Holder to Rick Scott: We’re watching you
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder this month sent a scathing letter to Governor Rick Scott over voting changes in Florida and issued a warning that the Justice Department is “carefully monitoring” the state, Tampa Bay Times’ Alex Leary reports via “The Buzz” blog.
Residency questions arise over attorney general candidate Sheldon
George Sheldon has spent nine months and raised nearly $300,000 to become Florida’s next attorney general, Tampa Bay Times’ Michael Van Sickler reports via “The Buzz” blog.
Florida Public Service Commission applicants list narrowed to 16
The legislatively-dominated committee assigned to nominate six candidates to the Public Service Commission narrowed its list of candidates from 32 to 16 on Thursday, preserving the chance for a term-limited legislator who runs a Panama City restaurant to get the high-profile job, the Miami Herald’s Mary Ellen Klas reports via the Tampa Bay Times.
A “Whalenado” is What We Really Need to Worry About
Given that there have only been two Sharknadoes in recorded history, company claims experience alone is not enough to get a comprehensive view of risk for the peril, this Insurance Journal humor column explains.
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