Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Friday, May 18
May 18, 2012
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
Friday, May 18–26th Annual Florida Governor’s Hurricane Conference. For registration information, click here.
10:00 a.m.–Florida Workers’ Compensation Insurance Guaranty Association Board of Directors meeting. Tallahassee, Florida. To view the meeting notice, click here.
Under pressure, Citizens Property Insurance panel considers phase-in of rate hike on new policies
A panel of Citizens Property Insurance Corp.’s board of governors looked at taking a slower approach to a proposed 30 percent statewide rate increase for new policies during a meeting Thursday.
- Blog: Citizens Property Insurance to get input on plan for higher rates
- Citizens Property Insurance panel: Shrinking policyholder base requires higher insurance rates
- Citizens Property Insurance board chair urges caution on higher rates
- Citizens Property Insurance’s board chairman wants legislators involved in rate plan
- Senator Mike Fasano lambasts insurers during forum
- Citizens Property Insurance rattled by continuing rate increase complaints
Disaster-aid bill beneficial to Florida
In declaring May “National Building Safety Month,” President Obama has provided some much-needed momentum to bipartisan legislation pending in Congress that would incentivize states to adopt and enforce model building codes as a disaster-mitigation strategy.
Task force gets caught up in battle over drug repackaging
A committee looking to cut the costs of government weighed in on an issue that has fueled a lobbying showdown during the recent legislative session, endorsing a set of changes to the way the state compensates doctors who distributed medicine paid for by workers’ compensation insurance.
Representative Kathleen Passidomo on foreclosure, insurance reforms
This week’s guests and issues on Naples Daily NewsMakers with Jeff Lytle will air Sunday morning at 10 on ABC7.
New York Times: Florida Tries to Clear Illegal Voters From Rolls
In an attempt to clear the voter rolls of noncitizens, a move that had set off criticism and a threatened lawsuit, Florida election officials decided on Thursday to use information from a federal database to check a list of 182,000 voters who they suspect are not citizens, officials said.
Florida Department of Revenue Executive Director Lisa Vickers Leaving
Florida Department of Revenue executive director Lisa Vickers resigned from her post today, effective July 1.
For three straight years, Florida legislators have not made government employers — including themselves — chip in enough money to continue closing the gap between assets and liabilities in the Florida Retirement System, according to a State Board of Administration report.
Florida foreclosures jump again while nation continues decline in April
Foreclosure activity nationwide fell nearly 14 percent in April, but Florida’s foreclosure epidemic remains strong, posting a 26 percent increase over the same month last year, according to a report released Thursday by RealtyTrac, a California-based company that tracks distressed properties.
Governor Rick Scott, business execs and lobbyists head to Spain next week
Governor Rick Scott will head for Spain on Sunday evening for a five-day trip designed to promote Florida as a destination for Spanish businesses, as well as the Viva Florida 500 celebrations for the quincentennial of Ponce de Leon’s landing on Florida’s east coast.
Miami Beach commissioners swap interest in state House District 113
The resignation of Miami Beach’s city manager has led to a game of musical chairs at City Hall and allegations of backroom deals from the city’s mayor.
Suit against allowing dog track slot machines is dropped; question set for November ballot
A Boca Raton woman has dropped her lawsuit against a referendum asking voters whether slot machines should be allowed at the Palm Beach Kennel Club.
U.S. education secretary urges Florida teacher raises, newer books
U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan criticized Florida’s Republican-dominated Legislature on Thursday for passing a law requiring school districts to offer private tutoring services even though the federal government had granted the state a waiver from a federal requirement for such programs.
South Florida is marked down for companies looking for a new home
The recession hammered South Florida’s housing and labor markets more than most, leaving at least one bright side amid the damage. Companies now find the region a cheaper place to do business.
Congress extends federal flood insurance program for 30 more days
The federal flood insurance program got another 30-day extension from the House on Thursday, while some lawmakers continue to work for the long-term extension they say is needed to ensure its stability.
New York Force-Placed Insurance Inquiry to Expand to Other Coverages
New York State regulators intend to expand their review of insurance coverages beyond force-placed insurance programs, according to Benjamin M. Lawsky, superintendent of Financial Services.
Texas Windpool to Remain Under Administrative Control
Texas’ insurer of last resort for wind and hail in coastal counties will remain under the administrative control of state regulators and it will file for a 5 percent rate increase in August to become effective January 1, 2012.
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