Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Friday, May 13
May 13, 2011
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 insurance-related events scheduled today.
Senator Fasano starts up veto campaign against insurance bill
Senator Mike Fasano, a fierce critic of the insurance industry, is asking people to contact Gov. Rick Scott to ask him to veto the property insurance bill approved last week by legislators.
Citizens Property Insurance is buying reinsurance and bonding so it will have enough cash if a major storm hits Florida this hurricane season.
Citizens Opponents Pull Strings for Special Session
Citizens Property Insurance is buying reinsurance and bonding so it will have enough cash if a major storm hits Florida this hurricane season.
Insurance legislation is on Governor Rick Scott’s desk
Homeowners, some already hit with double-digit property insurance rate hikes in recent years, could see premiums more than double in five years. They also could lose their right to file claims for late-surfacing damage or suffer more home damage while they save up to make repairs.
Blog: Insurance bill narrowly escaped demise
A sweeping property insurance bill that cleared the Senate last week was much closer to being axed than the vote, 26 to11, indicates.
53 accused in staged car crash schemes
Authorities say a five-month investigation into staged car accidents and insurance fraud culminated in arrest warrants for 53 people in the Tampa area.
Blog: Florida-based NCCI Holdings maintains ‘precarious’ market outlook while awaiting 2010 numbers
In the meantime, the Florida-based rating agency is sounding another cautionary tale for the line, based on the most recent information available.
Governor Rick Scott Ready to Roll With SunRail, Sources Say
Business and political considerations drive Central Florida commuter train
Florida continues to lead the nation in mortgage fraud
Florida has 3.6 times more mortgage fraud than expected, while the state accounts for 27 percent of all investigated fraud cases in the country, says a new study.
Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee Endorses Mike Haridopolos in U.S. Senate Race
Former Arkansas governor backs Florida Senate president over Republican field to take on Bill Nelson
Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee on Thursday endorsed state Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, for the Republican nomination to take on Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in 2012.
A coalition of business groups and conservative think tanks reiterated calls on Thursday for the Legislature to move new employees into 401(k)-style defined-contribution plans, days after lawmakers approved a pension-reform plan that allows state workers to remain in the defined-benefit program.
Florida expanding global agriculture promotions
Florida is expanding its global agricultural product promotions with agreements in Sweden and Singapore.
ACLU, unions, others may challenge new Florida laws
The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida has hired two more lawyers and is planning to add another to help handle an expected workload increase resulting from the Republican-led Legislature’s recently ended session.
Florida’s new water czar leaves to head up South Florida Water Management District
Melissa Meeker accepted the executive director position after a unanimous vote by the district board this morning and a standing ovation in a crowded meeting room.
Pro-Rader committee faces $15,250 fine for tardy report; appeal planned
A committee that boosted former Democratic state Rep. Kevin Rader’s unsuccessful 2010 bid for state Senate is facing a $15,250 fine for failing to file a campaign finance report.
Vendor Cash Greased Way for Red-Light Cameras
Just a year after the state approved use of the controversial cameras, lawmakers attempted to yank them down. The House narrowly approved a camera ban, 59-57, but the bill (HB 4087) never got a hearing in the Senate.
Blog: Governor Rick Scott’s attorneys cite his “supreme executive power” in court documents
The “supreme executive power” granted the governor by the state Constitution is among the reasons Gov. Rick Scott has the final say over rules developed by state agencies, according to documents filed Thursday in the Florida Supreme Court.
Texas House seeks more transparency in Department of Insurance
The Texas House of Representatives voted to continue the Texas Department of Insurance’s functions, but not without making some changes that supporters say would improve transparency and accountability.
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