Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Friday, January 8, 2016
Jan 8, 2016
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Daily Florida Insurance-Related Events
Daily Florida Insurance-Related News
Public Insight Network Seeks Policyholders Who Opted to Stay With Citizens
The Miami Herald wants to speak to locals about their experience as Citizens policyholders.
Florida Surplus Line Service Office Names Young Assistant Director of Agent Services
Florida Surplus Line Service Office has promoted Bryan Young to assistant director of Agent Services, Insurance Journal reports.
Influential Republican Legislators File Health Care Transparency Bills
Senator Rob Bradley of Fleming Island and State Representative Chris Sprowls of Palm Harbor said in a joint statement their plan to file transparency bills was informed in part by Governor Rick Scott‘s Health Care & Hospital Funding Commission.
Brandes seeks overhaul of employee health insurance
A Senate Republican on Wednesday filed a proposal aimed at overhauling the health-insurance program for state employees. The proposal (SB 1434), filed by Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, is similar to measures pushed in the past by House leaders, who have long sought changes in the insurance program. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA reports via SayfieReview.com.
Florida House pushes scaled-back pension reform
House leaders are gearing up to take another run at overhauling the pension system for state and county employees in the coming Legislative Session, potentially by tying the controversial changes to limited tweaks sought by the Senate. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Brandon Larrabee reports via the Lakeland Ledger.
Rick Scott all but endorses Donald Trump
Governor Rick Scott all but endorsed Donald Trump in an op/ed for USA Today, saying the businessman “is capturing the frustration of many Americans after seven years of President Obama’s very intentional government takeover of the American economy.” The Tampa Bay Times’ Alex Leary reports for “The Buzz” blog.
Governor Scott to launch $1 million TV ad campaign for tax cuts
Florida Governor Rick Scott is launching an expensive television ad campaign to convince state legislators to back his tax cut package, the Associated Press reports via the Lakeland Ledger.
- Governor Rick Scott lays out his business plan for 2016
- Scott’s budget plans could face squeeze
- Scott’s Proposed Billion-Dollar Tax Cut and $250 Million For Job Subsidies Sets Up a Fight
- Americans for Prosperity Bashes Rick Scott’s Proposal for More Funds to Enterprise Florida
Jeff Atwater lays out legislative wish list
Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater says he’s “championing” bills this legislative session in three policy areas: Life insurance, divestment from Iran and medical billing.
Brandes proposal takes aim at specialty tags
Senate Transportation Chairman Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, has introduced a proposal that would make it tougher to get specialty license plates on the road and keep plate designs in production. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA reports via SayfieReview.com.
How Florida’s New District Maps Could Give Democrats An Edge
There was an unusual scene at Florida’s Capitol building in Tallahassee this week. To comply with a court order, legislative staffers used a computer program to randomly assign new numbers to Florida’s 40 state Senate districts. NPR’s Greg Allen reports.
Atwater, Bondi, Putnam endorse Simpson in Pasco County Senate race
All three members of the Florida Cabinet on Wednesday announced their endorsement of Senator Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, in a Pasco County Senate primary race between Simpson and another incumbent, Senator John Legg, R-Trinity. The Tampa Bay Times’ Michael Auslen reports via “The Buzz” blog.
Senate seat renumbering has Jason Brodeur eyeing primary against David Simmons
The renumbering of Florida Senate seats is changing timetables on political ambitions. Among the potential changes to partisan matchups is the possibility state Senator David Simmons might draw a primary challenge from State Representative Jason Brodeur. Scott Power reports for FloridaPolitics.com.
Five questions with Senate President-to-be Joe Negron
With the 2016 Legislative Session right around the corner, Senator Joe Negron is in his element. The Treasure Coast lawmaker is known as a workhorse (although he might have to be more of a showhorse now that he is Senate President Designate), and in Tallahassee is where he does some of his best work. SaintPetersBlog.com’s Peter Schorsch interviews.
Why you should care about Florida’s Constitution Revision Commission
The Constitution Revision Commission is a big deal, and voters should pay attention. This group of unelected appointees will have the power to put constitutional changes directly on the ballot. Former Florida Senator Paula Dockery explains via the Tampa Tribune.
Seibels Selects Guidewire for Claims Management and Enhanced Customer Experience
The Seibels Bruce Group, Inc., an insurance services provider of business process outsourcing solutions, and Guidewire Software, Inc., a provider of software products to Property/Casualty insurers, announced that Seibels has selected Guidewire ClaimCenter® as its new claims management system.
Reinsurance Group Head Puts Science in Climate Change Discussion
Asked for his thoughts on climate change, Frank Nutter expeditiously turned to science. Insurance Journal’s Don Jergler reports.
Texas Windstorm Insurance Association Files for Changes to Dwelling and Commercial Policies
The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association has submitted new mandatory endorsements for its dwelling and commercial insurance policies to the Texas Department of Insurance for approval, Insurance Journal reports.
New Jersey Insurance Underwriting Association to Implement Rate Increase
The New Jersey Insurance Underwriting Association, the state’s residual property insurance plan, said it has received approval from the Department of Banking and Insurance to implement an overall rate increase of 2.7 percent.
Aviva to offer insurance for UberX drivers
Drivers who operate ride-share services like UberX could soon have insurance that covers them, if a new policy proposed by insurance provider Aviva comes to fruition. Oliver Sachgau reports for The Star.
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