Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report–Thursday, October 9, 2014
Oct 9, 2014
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Daily Florida Insurance-Related Events
There are no events scheduled for today.
Daily Florida Insurance-Related News
South Florida Cities Spared the Worst of High-Tide Flooding
Florida coastal areas that are frequently swamped during seasonal high tides braced for the worst Wednesday, but most low-lying trouble spots either were dry or had only minor flooding thanks to pumps and special valves to stem the deluge, Sun-Sentinel’s Ken Kaye reports.
Scott, Crist differ when it comes to insurance
A hurricane hasn’t made landfall in Florida in nearly nine years, but that hasn’t kept property-insurance rates from increasing or becoming a bigger concern for homeowners, THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Jim Turner reports via the Ft. Myers News-Press.
Florida wetlands protection forum spawns property tax discount idea
A property tax discount tied to the established ecosystem service value of wetlands should be considered in Florida as an alternative to the conventional regulatory related alternatives aimed at compensating wetland function loss, Alva resident John Cassani writes in the Ft. Myers News-Press.
Florida’s insurance industry a big contributor to state economy
R-Street’s Christian Camara notes a recent study published by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation that sheds light on the positive impact the insurance industry has on Florida’s economy.
Florida Group Calls Steep Health Insurance Exchange Rate Hike Routine
The more things appear to change, the more they appear to stay the same. That’s what a consumer health advocacy group in Florida is saying about double-digit health insurance premium increases that it says have been predating, and now post-dating, the passage of the Affordable Care Act. Bruce Shutan reports for HIX News.
Data breaches inevitable, cybersecurity conference at USF told
When it comes to protecting companies against data breaches, experts say it isn’t about stopping them. It’s about minimizing the damage. Tampa Bay Times’ Susan Thurston reports on this week’s cybersecurity conference.
After Obama call, Governor Scott backs travel restrictions from Ebola-affected countries
After a teleconference with President Barack Obama yesterday afternoon, Governor Rick Scott renewed calls for “common sense” international travel restrictions from countries affected by the deadly Ebola virus, SaintPetersBlog.com’s Phil Ammann reports.
Florida Governor Scott sued over finances by Attorney General candidate
George Sheldon, a Democrat running for Florida attorney general, filed a lawsuit on Wednesday contending that Scott may have underreported his actual wealth by as much as $200 million, the Associated Press reports via the Tampa Tribune.
Florida recognizes woman’s same-sex marriage after her death
Fort Myers widow Arlene Goldberg has finally received official Florida recognition of her marriage to Carol Goldwasser: Under a judge’s order, the state amended Goldwasser’s death certificate to read “married.” The Miami Herald’s Steve Rothaus reports.
PolitiFact Florida’s preview to the Rick Scott vs. Charlie Crist Telemundo debate
Gov. Rick Scott and former Gov. Charlie Crist will share the debate stage for the first time on Telemundo on Oct. 10 as they battle for the Hispanic vote. The Miami Herald’s Amy Sherman reports via the “Naked Politics” blog.
What polling for a Pasco House seat says about Florida governor’s race
Around the start of October, as Charlie Crist was not only still standing but actually neck and neck or ahead of the incumbent governor, it became clear this race is a coin toss and Crist might actually pull it off. Now, Crist may have become the clear frontrunner, Tampa Bay Times’ Adam Smith explains on the “Naked Politics” blog.
Candidates file to succeed term-limited “Doc” Renuart, Mark Pafford
Term-limited State Representatives Ronald “Doc” Renuart and Mark Pafford, set to leave office in 2016, have each drawn candidates who are taking the initial steps to replace them, SaintPetersBlog.com’s Phil Ammann reports.
Florida Department of Health files dismissal pot grower lottery rule challenge
Florida Department of Health officials are seeking to dismiss a challenge brought by the state’s largest grower over Florida’s burgeoning medical marijuana industry, SaintPetersBlog.com’s Phil Ammann reports.
Pot Amendment 2 is on the Ropes and Could Tumble
The once healthy Amendment 2, less than four weeks before the election, is in decline, Jeff Henderson reports for SunshineStateNews.com.
Florida’s hangup: High cell phone fees and taxes
Florida has the fourth highest average state-local cell phone tax and fee rate in the country at 16.55 percent, according to a study by the Washington-D.C.-based Tax Foundation. The Miami Herald’s Rochelle Koff reports via the “Naked Politics” blog.
Is Florida’s Elderly Prison Population A Problem? A New Report Says Yes
About a fifth of Florida’s inmate population is elderly. A new report warns as the state’s aging prison population continues to rise, officials will soon be dealing with a severe strain on Florida’s budget, WFSU’s Sascha Cordner reports.
U.S. Supreme Court Denies Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Instrumentality Challenge
A “foreign official” challenge to U.S. foreign bribery law won’t be heard before the U.S. Supreme Court — for this term, at least. The Dow Jones News Service reports Advisen.com.
ISO Releases New Predictive Analytics Tool For Auto Insurance Risk
ISO released the next generation of its ISO Risk Analyzer Personal Auto Environment Model, a predictive analytic tool insurers can use to improve territory rating of their personal auto business, Hannah Bender reports for National Underwriter’s PropertyCasualty360.com.
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