Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report – Friday, March 31, 2017

 

Florida House Speaker Underscores Solving Insurance Challenges as Job Creation Key

Florida House Speaker Richard Corcoran says the bigger threat to jobs are Workers’ Comp Rates and the rise in Property Insurance Premiums arising from abuses in a system known as Assignment of Benefits.  The Tampa Bay Times’ Steve Bosquet reports via the “Naked Politics” blog.

 

Florida House Republicans Pass “Free Market” Healthcare Proposals

Supporters of HB 145 argue that Surgical Centers save money for generally healthy people and that recovery centers will allow them to mend in a safe environment at a lower cost, assuming there are no complications.   The Miami Herald’s Michael Auslen reports.

 

Patient Groups Abound in Formulary Debate, But Who Funds Them?

Legislation introduced this Session – HB 95 and SB 182 – seeks to change the current drug formulary system utilized by Health Insurers and Pharmacy Benefit Managers.  FloridaPolitics.com Publisher Peter Schorsch reports.

 

House, Senate Face $2 Billion Divide

The Senate on Thursday published an initial draft of its Budget that would spend $83.2 Billion in the year that begins July 1.  Shortly afterward, House Leaders announced that their Spending Plan would check in around $81.2 Billion.  THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Brandon Larrabee reports via the Lakeland Ledger.

·         Anitere Flores Bets on Washington Intervention in Florida’s Health Care Budget

·         $81.2 Billion House Budget Aims the Meat-Ax at Member Projects

 

Florida Legislators’ Stalemate on Study Kills Fracking Ban Bill

A Bill that would Ban Fracking in Florida is dead this year, with the State House and Senate unwilling to agree on whether a Scientific Study is needed before considering an All-Out Prohibition.  Arek Sarkissian reports for the Naples Daily News.

 

Ethics, Local Lobbying Bills Clear House Floor

Three bills dealing with changes to state lobbying and ethics laws easily passed the House floor on Thursday.  Daniel Ducassi reports for Politico Florida.

 

Florida Lawmakers Seriously Considering Making Liquor Available at Gas Stations

Should Florida allow Wawa, 7-Eleven or the neighborhood Joe’s Garage, where customers can now buy a six-pack and fill up the car, to also stock fifths of Vodka, Tequila and Rum?  THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Jim Saunders reports via the Tampa Bay Times.

 

Senate Passes Comprehensive Gaming Legislation; House Version Right Behind

The main difference between the Bills is that SB 8 would expand Gambling, allowing Pari-Mutuels in Eight Counties to offer Slot Machines. The House version, PCB TGC 17-01, would not, SunshineStateNews.com reports.

 

Miami Apartment Rents Remain Among Nation’s Highest

The good news, according to the Zumper National Rent Report for April, is that the Median Rents for Apartments in Miami remained flat in March, with One-Bedroom units at $1,800 and Two-Bedroom Pads for $2,500.  The Miami Herald reports via Crain’s Miami.

 

House Approves Crackdown on Public Investment In Pro Sports Stadiums

The Florida House approved Legislation on an 82-33 Vote Thursday that would ban Professional Sports Teams from building or refurbishing Stadiums on Public Land.  Michael Moline reports for FloridaPolitics.com.

 

Personal Auto Rate Hikes Not Keeping Up with Losses, Fitch Says

GAAP Auto Segment Results show higher Combined Ratios for nearly all of a group of 10 Publicly Traded Insurers in 2016, Fitch said, with an average Combined Ratio Increase of 3.3 points from 2014 to 2016, Insurance Journal reports.

 

Bermuda Re/Insurers Start to Feel Pressures of Challenging Market, A.M. Best Says

Insurance Journal says Negative Trends are becoming increasingly evident for Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers as a result of the persistent challenging Underwriting and Investment Environments.  According to a report published by A.M. Best.

 

Homeowners Association at Sinking High-Rise in San Francisco Sue Developer

A Homeowners Association representing Property Owners at a downtown San Francisco High-Rise has sued the Developers on for failing to tell Residents the Condominium Tower was sinking at an unexpected rate.  The Associated Press’ Kristin J. Bender reports via the Insurance Journal.

 

 

 

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