Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report–Monday, October 13, 2014

Oct 13, 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 events scheduled for today.

 

 

Daily Florida Insurance-Related News


Legislative Sinkhole Fix Creates New Drain on Property Values

By leaving homeowners stuck with sinkhole homes they cannot repair, Florida’s 2011 sinkhole law has created a potential new drag on property values, Tampa Bay Times’ Jeff Harrington and Dan DeWitt report.  

 

Not cheap, but private flood insurance offerings grow

Florida homeowners concerned about the rising cost of their flood insurance are being encouraged by the state to find out whether a policy written by a private company can save them money, Sun-Sentinel’s Ron Hurtibise reports via Advisen.com.

 

Barry Gilway:  Florida insurance consumers Have Important Choices To Make

With so many property insurance choices now available to Florida consumers, it is more important than ever that homeowners work closely with their agents to determine their best insurance options, Citizens Property Insurance CEO Barry Gilway writes in the Pensacola News-Journal.

 

Miami Herald Endorses Public Adjuster Frank Artiles for Re-Election

The Miami Herald has endorsed State Representative Frank Artiles on the basis of his experience and his support of homeowners fighting unjust insurance rate increases.

 

St. Petersburg to look into expected sea level rise in waterfront master plan

As St. Petersburg residents weigh in on the future of public facilities and the port, the scientific consensus that much of that area might increasingly be threatened by storm surges and mounting drainage problems hasn’t been a major topic of the public conversation.  Tampa Bay Times’ Charlie Frago reports.

 

Crist driving new conversation on Medicaid expansion

As he gains momentum in the race for governor, Charlie Crist is driving a conversation on Medicaid expansion.  The Miami Herald’s Kathleen McGrory reports via the Tampa Bay Times.

 

The “zero-wage governor” fights the imposer of “Rick taxes

In a series of tense exchanges, the two leading candidates for governor zinged each other early and often in their first televised debate Friday, on Spanish-language Telemundo, and repeated the same message:  The other guy is worse than me.  The Miami Herald’s Marc Caputo reports via “Naked Politics” on the first debate between Rick Scott and Charlie Crist.

 

Governor Scott calls for Ebola preparedness

In a press release, Florida Governor Rick Scott asked hospitals statewide to train for possible Ebola outbreaks in the wake of the latest reported case in Dallas, the Orlando Sentinel’s Todd Caviness reports.

 

Despite rhetoric in Florida marijuana debate, Legislature controls its safety

Here’s the little secret neither side of the Amendment 2 debate over medical marijuana is talking about:  The Florida Legislature controls its fate.  The Miami Herald’s Mary Ellen Klas reports via the Tampa Bay Times.

 

Joe Biden heading to Florida to campaign with Crist

Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden will be in Florida on Monday campaigning for Democrat Charlie Crist, Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster reports via Scripps’ “Political Fix Florida” blog.

 

Tampa Bay Times Endorses Charlie Crist

Charlie Crist’s return to the Governor’s Mansion would advance Florida’s best interests and send a message that the concerns of average Floridians are more important than big money and rigid ideology, the Tampa Bay Times’ Editorial Board writes.

 

Scott, Cabinet have perfect record on finance reports

While none of the Republican Cabinet candidates has received a single “error report” from the state Division of Elections, their Democratic challengers have been “dinged” multiple times, Tampa Tribune’s James Rosica reports.

 

In Florida, a Chance for Democrats to Win One Back

Among the rolling hills and Spanish moss of Florida’s panhandle, voters have long demanded that politicians walk a wobbly tightrope between the two dominant political parties:  Lean too far one way and a tumble is all but certain.  Lizette Alvarez reports for the New York Times.

 

Florida Democrats barely bother with two Cabinet races

Despite an electorate split down the middle that voted for Barack Obama for president twice, half of Florida’s All-Republican state Cabinet is cruising toward re-election with only token Democratic resistance, Orlando Sentinel’s Aaron Deslatte reports.

 

Florida House District 68:  Can Bill Young’s Name Help Him Beat Dwight Dudley?

Things don’t come easy for Dwight Dudley as he looks to defend his Florida House seat in Pinellas County.  Representing HD 68, Dudley has drawn a tough assignment this year as Bill Young, namesake and son of the longtime congressman, is running against the freshman Democrat.  Jeff Henderson reports for SunshineStateNews.com.

 

State Representative Erik Fresen faces challenge in the November election

State Representative Erik Fresen is one of Miami-Dade’s better known state lawmakers – and as education budget chairman, among the most powerful.  The Miami Herald’s Kathleen McGrory reports via the “Naked Politics” blog.

 

Mississippi Regulators Announce Online Search Tool for Rate Filings

The Mississippi Insurance Department announced that certain property/casualty rate and form filings are now available online for public review through a new search tool implemented by the department, Insurance Journal reports.

 

Uber hammer attack victim speaks out, says firm liable

Über could find protection in the Communications Decency Act after one of its drivers allegedly attacked a customer with a hammer, the San Francisco Chronicle reports via Advisen.com.

 

 

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