Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Friday, September 16
Sep 16, 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 for today.
Blog: Jeb Bush forms company to get into the disaster response business
Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush is getting into the for-profit disaster response business.
Editorial: Government not a business
Apparently fiscal responsibility has its limits even for Republicans.
Editorial: Recession reason to lower rate hikes
In the last five years, the number of sinkhole claims in Florida has risen dramatically, and property owners in sinkhole-prone areas have seen a corresponding increase in premiums.
Giant snails invade Miami subdivision
The silent, slithery invasion of an army of Giant African Snails in a southwest Miami subdivision has federal and state agricultural officials launching a time-consuming expensive counter-attack to remove the large slimy creatures.
Florida officials, insurers demonstrate staged car crash
Officials call it the “panic stop.” A driver slams on the brakes and forces the car behind into a rear-end collision.
Tampa: It’s the No. 2 city for watercraft thefts
This city had the second most thefts of boats and other watercraft in the country in recent years, according to a report released Tuesday by the National Insurance Crime Bureau.
State backs off plan to limit HMOs for state workers
State officials have scrapped a move to limit to the number of HMO choices for state employees in an attempt to settle legal challenges.
Blog: Texas Medicaid overhaul getting approval
As Florida seeks to transform its Medicaid program, federal officials have “reached agreement in principle” on creating a statewide Medicaid managed-care program in Texas.
Florida’s 2003 medical malpractice reform now in jeopardy
Florida’s medical malpractice reform, credited with keeping thousands of doctors from fleeing the state since it was enacted in 2003, is in danger.
Florida receiving funds to fight unemployment insurance fraud
The state will receive $2.3 million from the federal government to fight fraud and abuse of the unemployment insurance system, the U.S. Department of Labor said Wednesday.
U.S. Supreme Court gets Florida interior design appeal
A challenge to Florida’s law requiring state licensing of nonresidential interior designers is going to the U.S. Supreme Court.
TaxWatch report suggests more than $4 billion in government cost savings
The annual report by the nonpartisan watchdog offers 135 ideas to limit state spending.
Postal Service will study closing two mail processing centers in South Florida
The U.S. Postal Service said Thursday it will study closing or consolidating more than half of its mail processing facilities nationwide, including those in Pembroke Pines and Fort Lauderdale, in an effort to save $3 billion annually.
Water district finds $70 million for pump to resume 10-year-old reservoir project
Ten years after the South Florida Water Management District sunk $217 million into rock pits for water storage west of Wellington, it has found $70 million to put the system to use for the first time.
Florida forgives millions in unpaid taxes, fines
Florida is forgiving tens of millions in taxes and fines and other money owed to the state from businesses, polluters and even retailers selling Lottery tickets.
Osprey businessman Rodriguez named to Enterprise Florida board
Sarasota County now has a second seat on the board of Enterprise Florida, the state public-private agency charged with luring jobs and businesses to Florida.
State Farm Seeks 10% Homeowners Rate Hike in Texas
State Farm Insurance has filed notice seeking an average 10 percent increase in Texas homeowner rates.
Professor Gives ‘F’ Grade to State Regulators’ Consumer Protection
The core of state regulation-market conduct and consumer protection-was debated at a recent Senate hearing.
COASTAL Act Offers Controversial Wind-vs.-Water Provision
A proposed amendment to the National Flood Insurance Program that would split the difference on the sensitive wind-versus-water issue is being criticized as limited in scope and of questionable value to consumers.
Insurance Commissioners To Tell Congress Not To Change Medigap Policies
State Insurance commissioners are preparing some stern words of advice for members of Congress trying to reduce the federal deficit: Don’t touch Medicare supplemental insurance.
Marsh Appoints Bill Pieroni Chief Operating Officer
Marsh, the leading global insurance broker and risk advisor and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Marsh & McLennan Companies, today announced that it has appointed Bill Pieroni to the role of Chief Operating Officer, effective September 19.
To unsubscribe from this newsletter, please send an email to Brooke Ellis at bellis@cftlaw.com.