Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report – Monday, April 18, 2016
Apr 18, 2016
Why Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty wanted to “Unleash the Hounds of Hell”
60 Minutes reporter Leslie Stahl asked McCarty what he was thinking when he learned about problems with Life Insurance Company Audits.
Florida Announces Exit from Multi-State Surplus Lines Clearinghouse NIMA
The Florida Surplus Lines Office has announced that Florida has made the decision to withdraw from the Nonadmitted Insurance Multi-State Agreement, effective June 1, 2016. The decision marks the second state to leave the Agreement, with Louisiana previously leaving last October. Insurance Journal’s Amy O’Connor reports.
67 Apply to Become Florida’s Next Insurance Commissioner
Governor Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet now have 67 names to pick from for state Insurance Commissioner, Jim Rosica reports for FloridaPolitics.com.
Florida Senate Panels to Meet Over FPL’s Turkey Point Canal Controversy
Two Senate committees have scheduled a joint meeting April 29 to discuss issues related to a cooling-canal system at Florida Power & Light’s Turkey Point nuclear complex in Miami-Dade County. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA reports via the Miami Herald’s “Naked Politics” blog.
Local Political Figures Cautious about Sea Level Rise
Reaction to the role of human activity in climate change and how to handle it varies among regional politicians, the Panama City News-Herald’s Collin Breaux reports.
Court Battle Continues in Florida Floating Home Case
A court fight continues for a South Florida man who won a key U.S. Supreme Court case over the difference between a floating home and a vessel. The Associated Press reports via the Lakeland Ledger.
Distracted Driving Crashes Surge in Palm Beach County Since 2012, State Says
Crashes caused by distracted drivers in Palm Beach County jumped nearly 30 percent from 2012 to 2015, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Jorge Millan reports for the Palm Beach Post.
Palm Beach County Commission set to Green-Light Uber Rules Tuesday
The Palm Beach County Commission is set Tuesday to finally approve rules for Uber and Lyft and similar app-based ride operations, Eliot Kleinberg reports for the Palm Beach Post.
Scott Vetoes Divorce Bill over Custody Concerns
Governor Rick Scott vetoed a bill Friday that would have restructured alimony payments and child custody, a sweeping reform of divorce law that aroused intense passions among supporters and opponents. Gray Rohrer reports for the Orlando Sentinel.
Jacksonville Lawmaker Faces Federal Indictment
State Representative Reggie Fullwood, a three-term Democratic lawmaker from Jacksonville, was indicted Friday on federal charges that allege he used campaign donations for personal use at grocery, jewelry and liquor stores. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Jim Turner reports via SunshineStateNews.com.
Battle for $15 Minimum Wage Coming to Florida
A movement to raise the minimum wage is growing, with California and New York recently approving increases that in coming years will raise minimum pay to $15 per hour. Lloyd Dunkelberger reports for the Lakeland Ledger.
Governor Scott puts Conditions on State Money at Citrus Department
Florida Department of Citrus officials have learned the $7.65 million of state general revenue it will get in the new 2016-17 budget comes with strings attached, the Lakeland Ledger’s Kevin Bouffard reports.
Fight over Potential $1 Billion Police Radio Contract affected Budget Negotiations
A recent skirmish between two high-powered technology companies over a $7 million state contract — one that delayed negotiations on the entire state budget — was a prelude to a much bigger battle for a potential $1 billion deal to upgrade a radio system for law enforcement agencies statewide. Tia Mitchell reports for the Florida Times-Union.
Florida Governor Scott Pushes Out Former Florida House Speaker Who Defied Him
A former Florida House Speaker who stood up to Governor Rick Scott is being pushed off the Florida State University Board, the Associated Press reports via WINKNEWS.com.
Tampa’s Ed Narain Aiming for Seat in Florida Senate
A beaming but respectful Ed Narain shared a stage Thursday with two longtime state legislators, yet another example of the respect Narain has earned in his two short years as a state representative. Mike Salinero reports for the Tampa Tribune.
Education “Train” Includes New Construction Rules for Rural Districts
Rural School Districts will have to raise funds for new construction projects before applying for State Assistance, under a law approved last week. Politico Florida’s Jessica Bakeman reports.
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