Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Tuesday, August 23
Aug 23, 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 Insurance Guaranty Association Finance and Audit Committee meeting. Agenda includes a discussion on the impact of recent rating agency downgrades. To view the meeting notice, click here.
(CANCELED) 10:00 a.m.–Florida Surplus Lines Service Office National Clearinghouse Committee meeting. Agenda includes issues pertaining to the proposed national surplus lines tax clearinghouse. To view the meeting notice, click here.
12:00 p.m.–Florida Self-Insurers Guaranty Association (“FSIGA”) Audit Committee meeting. To view the meeting notice, click here.
3:00 p.m.–FSIGA Board meeting. To view the meeting notice, click here.
Hurricane Irene not stopping Citizens from writing insurance policies
Homeowners looking to make changes to their Citizens policy or take out a new policy still have time.
Some homeowners taking chances and going without homeowner’s insurance
Insurance agents say this is a good time of the year to review homeowner’s and flood insurance policies.
Former Citizens Actuary John Rollins: Dubious claims force eye-popping Citizens rate increase
The 430 percent rate increases proposed by Citizens Property Insurance Corp. for optional sinkhole activity coverage, while eye-popping in a few regions, are not surprising to actuaries.
Security First Insurance adds iPhone application
A local Insurance company is launching today a free iPhone application for its Florida policyholders that will allow users to upload photos of storm damage and file and check the status of claims.
Fire district raises ambulance fees; disbands advisory board
Despite pleas by at least two of the half dozen members of the Lehigh Acres Fire Department’s Fire Assessment Fee Board to keep it active, members of the board of commissioners have chosen to abolish it and took such action last week to disband the board following a motion by Commission member Kevin Shea and second by David Adams.
Column: Why is the Red Cross upending its local chapter at the peak of hurricane season?
I have hunkered down during direct hits from three hurricanes, and they happen to rank alphabetically in terms of nastiness.
Honey sales deregulated in Florida – a boon for backyard beekeepers
Small-scale honey producers no longer need permits, inspections
For J.R. Denman, making honey over the past three years hasn’t been that sweet a deal.
Broward doctor faults Florida Medical Association effort on Medicaid reform
The Broward County Medical Association president says he’ll express his “disappointment” to his board because letter does not ask federal government to deny Medicaid 1115 extension, as required by the Florida Medical Association House of Delegates.
Agency overseeing Florida prison medical care is shut by legislative action
As the state moves to privatize prisons in 18 South Florida counties, the state government program that oversees Florida prisoner medical care shut down this week, despite attempts by Governor Rick Scott to keep it.
State Senator Mike Fasano honored by two pharmacy organizations
State Senator Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, recently received two awards from the pharmacy industry in recognition of his legislative pursuits, according to a media release Monday.
‘Welfare’ Drug Tests Come In; Results Are Predictable
A sampling of the cost for drug-testing welfare recipients in Central Florida shows the program is a loss leader for the state.
Florida Lawmakers Pressed to Speed Up Redistricting Process
As lawmakers move toward the end of their statewide tour to gather voters’ input on the once-a-decade redistricting process, the timeline for the next step in the redrawing of the state’s political maps is becoming more contentious.
Governor Scott’s office overrides Florida prison system contract for second time in a week
Under pressure from Governor Rick Scott’s office, Florida prison officials quietly terminated a $180,000, 10-month contract with a Washington, D.C. woman hired to oversee the state’s planned privatization of health care for prisoners.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement opened an investigation Monday into missing e-mails from Governor Rick Scott’s two-month transition amid a complaint from former Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink about a possible conflict of interest.
Associated Industries of Florida says survey shows support for Governor Scott’s policies
Results show split support and disapproval for governor.
Congressman Allen West rules out Senate bid, says he wants 2nd term
Congressman Allen West says he won’t be running for the Senate.
Former lawmaker Mandy Dawson pleads not guilty to tax charges
Former state Senator Mandy Dawson pleaded not guilty on Monday to a five-count federal indictment charging her with tax evasion and failure to file tax returns.
Reports provide recommendations for new Florida Department of Economic Opportunity
Lawmakers created a new agency by folding together pieces of three agencies.
University overseers find solution to schools’ territorial competition
State university officials pushed Monday to gain more control over schools looking to launch new academic programs far from their home campuses, a step prompted by Florida State University’s recent foray into West Palm Beach.
Editorial: Deconstructing fraud
Ponzi schemers, time-share scams and mortgage fraud – and the terrible costs that they levy – have been front and center in South Florida news of late.
Analysis: Hurricane could boost insurance pricing
Hurricane Irene, threatening to become the first hurricane to hit the United States in three years, could be the catalyst the insurance industry has been seeking in its quest for across-the-board premium increases after years of weakness.
Marsh Executive Sues former New York Governor Spitzer for $60 Million Over Slate Column
Former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer has been hit with a $60 million libel lawsuit by a former Marsh & McLennan Cos. executive over a column posted on Slate.com concerning an insurance bid-rigging scandal.
Arizona Department of Insurance Places PMI Group Companies Under Supervision
The Arizona Department of Insurance has placed PMI Mortgage Insurance Co. and PMI Insurance Co. under supervision and has ordered the companies, both part of the PMI Group, to cease issuing new mortgage insurance commitments.
‘Forced’ insurance adds to home woes
George Champion III is no slouch when it comes to finance.
Financial Firms Balk at New Law to Help Catch U.S. Tax Evaders
A U.S. law meant to snuff out billions of dollars in offshore tax evasion has drawn the criticism of the world’s banks and business people, who dismiss it as imperialist and “the neutron bomb of the global financial system.”
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