Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Thursday, April 5
Apr 5, 2012
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
(CANCELED) 10:00 a.m.–Florida Surplus Lines Service Office National Clearinghouse Committee meeting. To view the meeting notice, click here.
10:00 a.m.–Citizens Property Insurance Corporation (“Citizens”) Information Systems Advisory Committee meeting. Teleconference: (866) 361-7525; participant code: 4869641229#. To view the meeting notice, click here.
3:00 p.m.–Citizens Market Accountability Advisory Committee Teleconference. Teleconference: (866) 361-7525; participant code: 7849939192#.
Florida Citizens Property Insurance latest state insurer to ride catastrophe bond wave
The wave of nonprofit residual market insurers coming to market with catastrophe bond issuances appears to be cresting with the biggest name yet.
They’ve caused millions of dollars in damage, knocked out power, disrupted communication, left thousands homeless and destroyed the Naples Pier time and time again.
Southwest Florida most difficult area to evacuate for hurricane, study says
Southwest Florida is the nation’s most difficult area to evacuate in advance of a hurricane, a new study claims.
Throughout the course of its 22 year history, Certified Foundations, Inc. has worked with thousands of families to address and solve their sinkhole and foundation stabilization problems.
Tampa company looks at end run around new personal injury protection law
A Tampa company has sent fliers to chiropractors suggesting ways to capitalize on potential loopholes in new legislation aimed at denting the runaway fraud plaguing Florida’s mandatory motor vehicle no-fault law.
Insurance company purchases restaurant
It will be business as usual for quite some time at Gators Café and Saloon at John’s Pass.
Florida Governor Scott again weighing slew of budget projects
As he prepares to consider the state budget for the second time around, Gov. Rick Scott faces the same issue that caused a round of headlines in his first turn as the final vote on funding.
County Medicaid Challenge: Multimillion-Dollar Mess
When Governor Rick Scott signed a bill to force counties to pay Medicaid bills containing state accounting errors, he knew there would be an uproar.
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi: Florida to get $54 million from settlement
Florida’s share of a Medicaid and Medicare fraud settlement will be $54 million.
Ricky Polston chosen as next Chief Justice
The Florida Supreme Court announced Wednesday that justices have unanimously elected Ricky Polston as the next Chief Justice.
Concealed weapons license total exceeds 800,000 in Florida
With more than 800,000 issued, nearly one in every 15 Florida adults has a license to carry a concealed weapon, according to data compiled by the state.
Ethics complaint against Senator Mike Fasano dismissed
An ethics complaint against Senator Mike Fasano has been dismissed, according to a statement released Wednesday by the Florida Commission on Ethics.
Blog: Committee tied to Governor Rick Scott raises $910,000 during first 3 months of 2012
A political committee that played an important role in Governor Rick Scott’s 2010 election raised $910,000 in contributions during the first three months of this year, according to state records.
State Representative Randolph to run for re-election, state party chair
State Representative Scott Randolph, D-Orlando, said he plans to run for his re-drawn legislative seat this fall, but is gearing up to go after the state Democratic Party chairman post after that.
Attorney Adam Tebrugge launches campaign for House against Boyd
Bradenton attorney Adam Tebrugge announced Wednesday that he is running for the Florida Legislature in November against Representative Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton.
Blog: State Representative Joe Abruzzo unveils endorsements for state Senate bid
Just in case any other Democrats were entertaining thoughts of running in the newly drawn District 25 state Senate seat, state Representative Joseph Abruzzo, D-Wellington, today announced the endorsements of some big-name Democrats.
For most of the past month, Floridians have had the engaging opportunity to vote on their favorite buildings across the Sunshine State.
Gretna Racing partner deposed in barrel racing case
David Rominik, a partner in Gretna Racing LLC, the group that received a license from state regulators last year allowing them to conduct barrel horse races, was deposed Wednesday in Ocala as part of an administrative court case in which quarter horse racing groups are seeking to invalidate the license.
Spokesmen for insurance-trade groups insist that when all is said and done, officials of the Financial Stability Oversight Council will support insurers’ view that insurance activities by their very nature do not pose a threat to the stability of the U.S. financial system.
Hurricane forecasters predict quieter storm season
With the start of the 2012 hurricane season two months away, the forecasting team at Colorado State University has predicted a slightly below-average season.
Tennessee Issues Warning on Certificates of Insurance
Authorities in Tennessee are warning agents that certificates of insurance must be consistent with the underlying policy or they risk being penalized under state law.
Political stress erupting at Mississippi Capitol after workers’ compensation vote
Three months into the Mississippi legislative session, nerves are fraying and tempers are flaring at the state Capitol. Two Democratic House members scuffled last week after voting opposite ways on a workers’ compensation bill.
Wall Street Journal: Insurers Facing Greater Scrutiny
New York’s top financial regulator is expanding an investigation of insurers that force homeowners policies on borrowers after turning up evidence that consumers were charged too much, according to people familiar with the situation.
Study finds air clean-up linked to U.S. hurricanes
Cleaning up air pollution from factories in North America and Europe could have helped to cause more disastrous hurricanes in the U.S. in recent years, new research suggests.
Property Insurance Stocks: Troubled Times Are New Normal
Tornadoes in Texas serve as a reminder that earth-shattering natural disasters are now the rule, not the exception.
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