Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Thursday, March 19, 2015
Mar 19, 2015
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 scheduled for today.
Daily Florida Insurance-Related News
Florida’s Citizens Property Insurance shrinks to record low
State-run Citizens Property Insurance has shrunk to the fewest number of policies since its creation 10 years ago. Tampa Bay Times’ Jeff Harrington reports for “The Buzz” blog.
Florida Legislature looks ready to give OK to packing guns during hurricanes
The Legislature looks set to give Floridians the right to carry a concealed weapon when evacuating their homes because of a hurricane or other emergency. The Palm Beach Post’s John Kennedy reports via the “Post on Politics” blog.
Senate unveils alternative funding model that increases base rates for all Florida hospitals
The Florida Senate on Thursday will propose an alternative “Low Income Pool” model that would use supplemental Medicaid dollars to increase the base rates all hospitals are paid to treat the poor, elderly disabled, uninsured and underinsured. Christine Jordan Sexton reports for SaintPetersBlog.com.
Governor Rick Scott eyeing run for U.S. Senate — in 2018
You may have seen Gov. Rick Scott recently talking to you in a TV ad — “We are expanding our industries, investing in our ports, making a record commitment to you, devoting more resources to education” — and wondered if he’s running for office again. That’s the plan, but not right away. Tampa Bay Times’ Adam Smith reports.
Proposal to change Florida’s presidential primary date heads to Governor Rick Scott
The Florida Senate on Wednesday signed off on a plan to make March 15 the date of the 2016 presidential primary, the Bradenton Herald reports. The proposal (HB 7035) would put Florida in line Republican Party rules — and enable the state to award all of its delegates to the winner of the GOP primary.
Sober home bill clears final hurdle in House
A House bill designed to ensure sober homes are safe for addicts and neighbors passed its final committee stop on Wednesday and is headed to the House floor. The Palm Beach Post’s Christine Stapleton reports via the “Post in Politics” blog.
Florida House bill pits cities and counties vs. property rights supporters
A House bill prompted by a U.S. Supreme Court case involving a Florida landowner is pitting property rights supporters against local governments. SaintPetersBlog.com’s Bruce Ritchie reports.
Senate panel restores affordable housing funds shifted by Amendment 1
A Senate committee on Wednesday voted to restore funding for affordable housing, as a way to offset the loss of revenue because of Amendment 1. SaintPetersBlog.com’s Bruce Ritchie reports.
Five minutes with Tom Lee — Talk of playing cards while building a budget
The Senate Appropriations chairman is drawing a line in the sand. State Senator Tom Lee wants clarity on healthcare spending before moving forward on building a budget and both state Senators Aaron Bean and Renee Garcia are looking for the money to help him produce a balanced spending plan. SaintPetersBlog.com’s James Call does the interview.
State Representative Jim Boyd: Amendment 1 legislation miscast
State Representative Jim Boyd explains in a Bradenton Herald editorial opinion that, other than ensuring that we continue to pay for bonds previously issued for environmental purposes and for Everglades restoration, his Amendment 1 implementation legislation does not allocate funding to particular programs or projects, including any water treatment projects.
Chinese Drywall Firm to Pay Damages
In a stunning turn of events, a Chinese drywall manufacturer has agreed to pay damages from a 2010 case, Aaron M. Kessler reports for the New York Times.
Lawmakers in Colorado Launch Debate on Homebuilder Liability
Colorado lawmakers started work this week on one of the most anticipated issues of the legislative session: liability for homebuilders. The Associated Press’ Kristin Wyatt reports via Insurance Journal.
Coastal Communities Risk Being Swept Away by Rising Insurance Costs
The future of low and middle-income communities in New York’s coastal areas is now in question, Samar Khurshid reports for the Gotham Gazette.
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