Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Apr 21, 2015
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Daily Florida Insurance-Related Events
There are no insurance-related events scheduled for today.
Daily Florida Insurance-Related News
Fitch Upgrades Citizens Property Insurance Coastal Account to AA-; Outlook Stable
Fitch Ratings has assigned an AA- rating to senior secured bonds of the Citizens Property Insurance Coastal Account (formerly known as the High Risk Account).
Bogus Stamps, Phony Bonds With Florida Ties Backed Failed Insurer
Insurance regulators are liquidating an Oklahoma insurer after capital injected by new owners, a New York financial firm, turned out to include bonds linked to an admitted counterfeiter and a supposed $40 million stamp collection that couldn’t be authenticated. The Wall Street Journal’s Leslie Scism reports.
Storms send trees crashing into Central Florida homes
At least 55 Marion County homes have been damaged by storms yesterday, Chris Hesh reports for WESH-TV.
Governor Scott lawsuit over Medicaid expansion gets Texas backing
Governor Rick Scott received the backing of Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Monday over his intention to sue the federal government for allegedly “coercing” Florida to accept Medicaid expansion. The Orlando Sentinel’s Gray Rohrer reports for the “Central Florida Political Pulse” blog.
Florida agrees to end lawsuit over state worker drug tests
Florida Governor Rick Scott‘s long-running battle over whether the state could drug test state workers is finally coming to an end, the Associated Press’ Gary Fineout reports via the Orlando Sentinel.
Florida GOP House members plan to discuss Session privately
Republicans in the Florida House are planning to hold a private meeting to discuss this year’s contentious Session of the Legislature. The Associated Press reports via the Tampa Tribune.
Special Election in House District 64 Concludes Today
It’s too soon to say whether or not Jamie Grant will be re-elected to his House District 64 seat. But not really. SaintPetersBlog.com’s Janelle Irwin reports.
Florida lawmakers, others subpoenaed as part of ongoing redistricting lawsuit
More than 60 people, including sitting lawmakers, have received subpoenas as part of a long stalled lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Florida’s state Senate maps. Matt Dixon reports via Scripps “Political Fix Florida” blog.
Bill would close access to some surveillance video
A measure before the Legislature would slap a “top secret” stamp on surveillance video held by neighborhood development districts, but opposition is growing, the Tampa Tribune’s James Rosica reports.
Homeowner Groups Wage Final Battle Against Cost-Shifting Measures
Bills that would tinker with an esoteric part of state law dealing with real estate “estoppel letters” could be headed for approval this legislative session. The Tampa Tribune’s James Rosica reports via Scripps “Political Fix Florida” blog.
Senator Gaetz keeps ethics conversation going in Tallahassee
“Ethics in government” might strike some people as an oxymoron. But it’s a serious subject, it’s back before the Legislature, and ethics watchdogs like what they see. The Tampa Bay Times’ Steve Bousquet reports.
Comcast to offer South Floridians fastest residential Internet in country
In the race for speed, Comcast soon will offer the fastest residential Internet speed in the country to its 1.3 million residential customers in South Florida. The Miami Herald’s Nancy Dahlberg reports.
Texas Windstorm Insurance Association to Begin Agency Documentation Verification Survey on May 1
The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association alerted agents that as of May 1, 2015, TWIA would begin implementing an agency compliance program in order to verify agent documentation of private insurer coverage declinations and proof of flood insurance coverage on TWIA covered properties, if applicable. Insurance Journal reports.
Georgia Supreme Court Sides with XL Specialty in Barring Bad Faith Claim
The Georgia Supreme denied an insured’s bad faith claim against its insurer for its refusal to pay a settlement because the insured settled on the amount without the insurer’s consent, as required by the policy. Insurance Journal’s Andrew G. Simpson reports.
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