Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report – Monday, November 14, 2016
Nov 14, 2016
Jeff Atwater files blockbuster billion-dollar lawsuit against feds
The Florida Department of Financial Services, which CFO Atwater heads, is holding thousands of “unclaimed, matured savings bonds that were originally registered to individuals with last-known addresses in the State of Florida,” the suit says. Jim Rosica reports for FloridaPolitics.com.
Sea-level rise presents an epic risk to Florida
Besides raising infrastructure, installing pumps in storm sewers and elevating buildings (steps for which the architects would play critical roles), the simple answer for the state’s homeowners, should the sea rise appreciably in this or the next century, would be to evacuate the coasts. Harold Bulbil reports for the Gainesville Sun.
Commercial insurance firm weighs effect of workers compensation ruling
The case centered on the legality of set scheduled lawyer fees in cases involving workers’ compensation. According to Lykes Insurance, a premier Florida-based commercial insurance firm, many employers are left trying to figure out what the ruling means for them. Christopher Knoll reports for the Florida Record.
Seminole County looks at costly “non-transport” ambulance fees
In Seminole County, if you call for an ambulance and are treated at the scene – with no trip to the hospital – you’ll likely get stuck with a medical bill of up to $800 that Medicare, Medicaid and many insurers won’t pay. Martin E. Comas reports for the Orlando Sentinel.
Florida government agencies selling the public cars with active recalls
Government vehicles are being sold to the public with potentially dangerous open recalls, statewide investigation finds. Katie Lagrone and Matthew Apthorp report for ABC Action News.
Florida Senate already critical of Corcoran plan to “shut down” budget
A far-reaching change that could set the tone for the entire 2017 session is Corcoran’s creation of an entirely new system for getting local projects funded in future state budgets. The Tampa Bay Times’ Steve Bousquet reports via the “Naked Politics” blog.
Medical marijuana is legal in Florida, now what?
It will likely be many months before most of the estimated 450,000 people who qualify for the drug will actually have access to it. And the fight over just how the law will actually take shape has yet to begin. Frank Gluck reports for the Ft. Myers News-Press.
As rooftop solar costs drop, utility attempts to raise barriers may not work
According to the Florida Public Service Commission 10-year site plan, utilities plan to increase their solar generation, but solar will make up only a tiny fraction of all energy generation supplied by the regulated utilities in the next 10 years. The Miami Herald’s Mary Ellen Klas reports.
“Ghost gun” kit makers on the rise in Central Florida
Companies that make kits which allow buyers to assemble military-style, semi-automatic rifles at home have sprung up in recent years in at least one Central Florida county, alarming some in law enforcement. The Associated Press reports via the Orlando Sentinel.
Despite Some Election Upsets, Florida Legislature Looks Pretty Much The Same
Like the newly elected President and the future Congress, Florida’s future leaders will look pretty much the same. Still, while the Republican-led state legislature still continues to hold a majority, there were some upsets. Sascha Cordner reports for WLRN.org.
Gobsmacked by election, Florida Democrats try to refocus
Instead, Tuesday’s results left bereft Democrats speaking bluntly about why so many of their candidates lost. Patricia Mazzei reports for the Miami Herald.
- After Election Embarrassment, Allison Tant Won’t Return As Party Chair
- Gelber, Randolph, Clendenin top list to lead dispirited Florida Democrats
- Ed Narain the latest name to be floated as potential chair of Florida Democratic Party
- Democratic consultants trying to draft John Morgan to run for governor
The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association announced the passage of an important milestone in its Assumption Reinsurance Depopulation Program: agents have approved 18,000 policies for possible transfer from TWIA to participating private market insurers, Insurance Journal reports.
Should advisers prep for fiduciary rule post Trump?
Advisory firms on their way to complying with a Labor Department investment advice regulation are debating how many resources they should continue to allocate to a rule whose fate is now uncertain under President-elect Donald Trump. While many experts and advisers say firms should continue on that path toward compliance, others are in a “wait-and-see” mode, Investment News reports via Crain’s Miami.
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