Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Monday, September 12
Sep 12, 2011
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
10:00 a.m.–Florida Agency for Health Care Administration public meeting. Opportunity for public comment on the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care program outlined in HB 7107 and HB 7109. To view the agenda, click here.
2:30 p.m.–Florida Workers’ Compensation Insurance Guaranty Association Board of Directors meeting. To view the meeting notice, click here.
3:00 p.m.–Florida Automobile Joint Underwriting Association (“FAJUA”) Finance and Audit Committee meeting. Tampa, Florida. To view the meeting notice, click here.
3:30 p.m.–Citizens Property Insurance Corporation Board of Governors meeting. Teleconference: 888-942-8686; conference code: 8419204389#. To view the meeting notice, click here.
4:00 p.m.–FAJUA Budget Meeting. To view the meeting notice, click here.
A Sinking Feeling About Insurance
A crack in the foundation of the insurance industry’s push for higher sinkhole premiums appeared this week: Opposition to the proposed rate increases has gotten so loud that it can’t be ignored no matter how much the rate increases might make sense financially.
Regulators Consider Fire Insurance Rate Hikes
Some customers of two insurance companies could see their rates rise by almost 39 percent under a proposal reviewed Thursday by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation.
Letter to the Editor: Governor’s plans will raise home insurance several times over
Here we go. I hope everyone who voted for Governor Rick Scott is hit hard by this.
Pembroke Pines seeks lower insurance rates for residents, citing safer streets
With fewer accidents on the roads thanks to red light cameras, shouldn’t drivers’ insurance rates go down?
Rising costs of insurance is topic at West Kendall meeting
The Kendall Federation of Homeowner Associations is hosting an insurance forum moderated by CBS-4 TV anchor Al Sunshine; panelists include State Senator Anitere Flores, independent insurance agent Dulce Rodriguez and State Representative Ron Saunders.
Local Pinellas officials talk hurricanes
Hurricane season in the Atlantic basin is past the halfway mark, but local officials say the riskiest months are still ahead for people living on the west coast of Florida.
New York Times: Florida Forces Towns to Pull Local Laws Limiting Guns
The signs – “No Guns Allowed” – are being stripped from many Florida government buildings, libraries and airports.
Special act, lawsuit hinder Pinellas Emergency Management Systems change
Pinellas County Commissioners continue to grapple with the financial solvency of a failing EMS system.
Man sues Florida for right to flash headlights
Erich Campbell thought he was just being helpful the night he flashed his headlights on a busy Tampa highway to warn drivers of a police speed trap ahead.
Judge throws out anti-Fair Districts lawsuit
U.S. District Judge Ursula Ungaro this morning rejected the lawsuit challenging one of Florida’s “Fair Districts” amendments.
State Representative Randolph requests accounting information on anti-Fair Districts lawsuit
State Representative Scott Randolph, D-Orlando, yesterday wrote to Florida House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, requesting a “detailed accounting” of all legal expenses the House has incurred since joining the lawsuit seeking to block one of the two “Fair Districts” amendments from taking effect.
Hundreds show up in Sarasota to talk redistricting, gerrymandering, ‘Fair Districts’
Hundreds of Sarasota and Manatee county residents turned out Tuesday evening for one of the state Legislature’s final public redistricting hearings.
Top Department Environmental Protection official Bob Ballard abruptly resigns
Bob Ballard, brother of Tallahassee lobbyist Brian Ballard, resigned following months of questions and controversy involving state lands.
Florida governor may reject money from jobs plan
Governor Rick Scott and top Florida Republicans are sending early signals they could reject the billions in federal aid that could flow to the state under President Barack Obama’s jobs proposal.
Oil drilling has expanded in western Everglades
Republican politicians caught flak recently for suggesting oil exploration in the Everglades, but it’s actually been going on there for decades.
The brown and yellow fly is barely a quarter-inch long – smaller than a fingernail. You would likely just flick it off if it landed on you.
Legislators are counting on rare moment to bring resort casinos to Florida
The sponsor of the bill to bring resort casinos to South Florida believes that the arrival of gambling giant Genting, the state’s dismal economy and a rush of casino cash give legislators a chance to catch “lightning in a bottle” and pass the long-sought legislation this year.
Deep dredge, deep concerns at port
Dredgers have deepened sections of the Port of Miami twice in the last dozen years.Both times, the digging went awry.
Old Capitol’s dome gets shine back with face-lift
As soon as Florida’s historic Capitol got its dome more than a century ago, somebody hung a sign inside the rotunda offering “Shower & baths free if you furnish your own soap and towels. Jennings & Co., 1902.”
Michigan Begins Debate Over Personal Injury Auto Insurance Benefits
The state Legislature is preparing to begin debate on possible changes to Michigan’s unique auto insurance coverage for people injured in accidents.
Senate Banking Committee Advances Flood-Extension Bill to Full Senate
Legislation reauthorizing the National Flood Insurance Program until September 30, 2016 was reported to the Senate floor today by the Senate Banking Committee.
Department of Labor Fines Railroad for Retaliation Against Whistleblowers
The U.S. Department of Labor has ordered Union Pacific Railroad Co. to pay damages and attorney fees to three employees and more than $90,000 in back wages to three employees.
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