Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report–Monday, November 17, 2014
Nov 17, 2014
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 today.
Daily Florida Insurance-Related News
Florida Governor Scott Facing Rising Seas, Climate Change Politics
Republican leaders from Alabama to Arizona are facing unwanted climate-change battles even as they question the effects of human activity on global temperatures, Bloomberg’s Toluse Olorunnipa reports via Insurance Journal.
Broward goes after Uber underground taxis
Uber underground taxi service doesn’t like Broward County‘s cab laws, so the technology giant isn’t following them. The Sun-Sentinel’s Brittany Wallman reports.
Fee caps, doctors and lawyers: Board of Medicine continues to examine medical record rule
For more than a year, a proposed rule that would lift the cap on what doctors could charge patients and their attorneys for copying medical records has been lingering before the Florida Board of Medicine. SaintPetersBlog.com’s Christine Jordan Sexton reports.
Judge Rejects Charlotte’s Web Medical Marijuana Rules
Administrative Judge W. David Watkins has rejected the Florida Department of Health’s proposed rules for implementing Florida’s new medical marijuana law, specifically objecting to “the chance-based scenario” of a lottery. Nancy Smith reports for SunshineStateNews.com.
Legislature might hold first meeting with Tampa seat empty
When lawmakers enter the Capitol next week to organize themselves for next year’s legislative session, State Representative Jamie Grant may not be among them. James Rosica reports for Scripps’ “Political Fix Florida” blog.
Rick Scott wants Leslie Dougher re-elected as Florida GOP chair
Florida Governor Rick Scott endorsed Leslie Dougher in a note to Florida Republican Party leaders. Tampa Bay Times’ Adam Smith posts the letter on “The Buzz” blog.
Crisafulli details his legislative plan
Incoming Florida House Speaker Steve Crisafulli has an extensive to-do list, FloridaToday.com’s Dave Berman reports.
New Senate head puts tribal gaming into question
Time is running out to renew a revenue-sharing deal between the state and the Seminole Tribe, but the new head of the Florida Senate isn’t so sure it’s needed. Tampa Tribune’s James Rosica reports.
Dozens of Florida charter schools over-estimate enrollments; miss revenue projections by $35 million
A Daily News analysis of 48 Florida charter schools that opened this year shows many came nowhere close to enrolling what they said they would in their applications, which serve as the basis of whether school districts green light them to open, Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster reports for Scripps’ “Political Fix Florida” blog.
Coin Toss May Decide Central Florida Local Election
With the high-profile governor’s race safely in the books, it seems as though the state escaped major election controversies. That would be true, unless you live in Mount Dora, where a local election could soon be decided by a coin toss. FloridaWatchdog.org’s William Patrick reports via SunshineStateNews.com.
In Florida, robo-signed mortgage docs — legit or not — are allowing banks to hound borrowers
New York Times business editor Gretchen Morgenson writes today about another dubious honor Florida has earned as its regulators stand on the sidelines: banks hounding homeowners for payments after they accepted faulty mortgage documents on homes that subsequently went into foreclosure. The Miami Herald’s Mary Ellen Klas posts the story in the “Naked Politics” blog.
Susan Latvala leaves local government after 22 years
After 22 years in public office – eight on the School Board and 14 on the County Commission – the self-described “country girl” from Kentucky who helped make “Latvala” one of the biggest names in Pinellas County politics is moving into private life after deciding not to run for re-election. Her last official day is Monday. Tampa Bay Times’ Tony Marrero reports.
U.S. Senator: Investigate changes to flood insurance reports
New Jersey’s senior U.S. senator is calling for a full investigation to figure out how many superstorm Sandy flood-insurance claims were denied based on shadowy practice that was recently revealed in a New York courtroom. The AsburyPark Press reports via Advisen.com.
Louisiana Floodwall Project to Begin Next Year
A project to protect 375 homes and 15 businesses in Larose, Louisiana, including North American Shipyard, from flooding and storm surge will begin in January. Associated Press reports via Insurance Journal.
Injuries to workers with pre-existing conditions complicate disability claims
A pending Connecticut case will help determine how the state approaches apportionment of permanent disability benefits when workers with pre-existing or chronic conditions suffer debilitating injuries on the job. Cihan News Agency reports via Advisen.com.
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