Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Monday, July 23
Jul 23, 2012
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Daily Florida Insurance-Related Events
There are no insurance-related events scheduled for today.
If Citizens Property Insurance raises rates, private insurers likely to follow
Nearly 200 companies offer home insurance in Florida, but only one has the power to influence rates for all the state’s 6.1 million policies when it meets this week to set prices for 2013: State-run Citizens Property Insurance.
Citizens Property Insurance revokes hurricane-proofing discounts
Citizens Property Insurance’s push to inspect homes and revoke discounts for hurricane-resistant features has drawn fire and questions.
A third-party group is targeting St. Petersburg Representative Jeff Brandes.
Fire rating improves in Vinton
Homeowners in Vinton can expect lower insurance rates after the rating for the town’s fire department was raised.
Education, jobs are used to set car insurance rates
If you have a blue-collar job or no college degree, you could be paying more for auto insurance than someone with the same car and driving record who is a professional or has a degree.
Doctors in Florida dispense medications to workers-compensation patients at one of the highest rates in the country, according to a study released by a Massachusetts-based group.
Department of Health deputy secretary moves to Florida Department of Corrections
Steven Harris leaves his post after nearly a year on the job, joining a parade of departures from the Department of Health.
Florida gains 9,000 jobs in June, but unemployment rate doesn’t budge
The new jobs weren’t enough to move the unemployment rate, which stayed at 8.6 percent.
Late-filed Democrats keep state GOP from a money haul
It was shaping up to be an easy election cycle for Clay County state Senate candidate Rob Bradley.
This week in the roundup, Republican leaders try to tone down a Tampa-area Senate race, and Democrats sharpen their knives for three fierce campaign battles in the upper chamber.
Ex-Florida House member Rader tries for political comeback
Former Democratic state Representative Kevin Rader originally planned to run for the Florida Senate. He announced a challenge to sitting Democratic state Senator Maria Sachs, D-Delray Beach.
Senate District 13: Andy Gardiner a Heavy Favorite to Keep Seat and Senate President Plans Alive
Senate Majority Leader Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, is in line to become Senate president after the 2014 elections and he has the edge in SD 13 over a Democratic opponent as he looks for a second term in the upper chamber.
Senate District 14: Darren Soto Pitted Against Will McBride in Contest for Open Seat
In what is shaping up as one of the more intriguing legislative contests in November, Representative Darren Soto, D-Orlando, is matched against Republican Will McBride in a contest for the SD 14 open seat in Central Florida that represents parts of Orange County.
Senate District 20: Jack Latvala Appears Headed for Another Term
While he has his eye on making a bid to serve as the president of the Florida Senate after the 2016 elections, Senator Jack Latvala, R-St. Petersburg has to first hold off a Republican primary challenger and defeat a Democratic candidate in November — and the veteran legislator appears to be in excellent shape to keep his seat.
Senate District 39: Ron Saunders Leads Crowded Democratic Primary in Money Chase
With Senator Larcenia Bullard, D-Miami, heading to the sidelines due to term limits, a crowded field of Democrats — including three representatives who served together in the Florida House — are battling it out in the August 14 primary.
Business lobby seizes chance to tip scales in state Senate
Fueled by corporate cash, Capitol grudge matches and personal ambitions, a series of elections across the state for seats in the Florida Senate are turning into political blood sport this summer.
Florida receives $9.1 million bonus for accuracy in administering food stamp program
State legislators will decide how Florida will spend a $9.1 million federal bonus awarded for having the nation’s second-lowest error rate in overseeing the food stamp program that helps struggling families buy groceries.
Florida ex-lawmaker gets 6 months in tax evasion case
Former Florida state Senator Mandy Dawson was sentenced Friday to six months in federal prison after pleading guilty to tax charges arising from a corruption investigation in which she accepted thousands of dollars in payments designed to influence her legislative actions.
Genting downscales in Miami as it seeks to expand its global brand
Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado hasn’t seen them.
Finally, Feds Recognize Urgency of Florida Port Upgrades
There was a hint of “it’s about time” Thursday, as Florida port leaders praised a federal announcement to speed up work at JaxPort.
Fire Closes Alabama Insurance Department
The Alabama Department of Insurance will remain closed until at least Monday due to a power outage caused by a small fire in Montgomery’s RSA Tower on Thursday morning.
Federal Insurance Office Looking to Resolve Differences with Agencies Both at Home and Abroad
Michael McRaith, director of the Federal Insurance Office, is moving aggressively to reduce the differences between European and U.S. insurance regulatory and supervisory schemes.
United Kingdom-Based Insurer Amlin Sets Up Reinsurance Unit in New Jersey
UK-based specialist insurer Amlin plc is setting up a U.S. market for casualty reinsurance targeting nationwide business with a focus on general and professional liability.
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