Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report – Tuesday, January 17, 2017
Jan 17, 2017
Florida Regulators Say Startups Withstood Matthew, But More Modeling Needed
Billions in New Capital dedicated to Florida Hurricane Risk withstood its first real test during 2016 Storm Season, but Startup Insurers created as a result of the State’s “Take Out” Privatization Program will need to model more dire scenarios in order to understand their true risk, State Officials said. RiskMarketNews.com reports.
Matt Gaetz Wins Appeal For Northwest Florida Skydiving Business
The opinion cited the County’s Land Use Policy, saying that language allowing outdoor recreational activities but not specifically banning skydiving “indicates that Skydiving may be permissible.” Jim Rosica reports for FloridaPolitics.com.
Insurance Office Finds Florida Workers’ Compensation Market Stable, Competitive
Despite broad consternation over rising Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rates, Florida’s Market is relatively stable and competitive, according to an analysis released Friday by the Office of Insurance Regulation. Michael Moline reports for FloridaPolitics.com.
Florida Senate Will Hear Tobacco Appellate Bond Cap Repealer; a Sop to Trial Lawyers?
The Senate is primed to hear a Bill that would repeal the Cap on the amount of money Tobacco Companies have to put up as Appellate Bonds. FloridaPolitics.com Publisher Peter Schorsch reports.
ShotSpotter Allocation Clears First Jacksonville City Council Committee
The Program, which identifies the source of gunshots, will be rolled out in a 5 square mile area in Health Zone 1, the part of the City that has the most gun violence. A.G. Gancarski reports for FloridaPolitics.com.
FPL Wins Battle to Store Radioactive Waste Under Miami’s Drinking Water Aquifer
Miamians get most of their drinking water from the upper Biscayne Aquifer, while the Government has used the lower portion of the Floridian to dump waste and untreated sewage — despite the fact that multiple studies have warned that waste could one day seep into the drinking water. Jerry Ianelli reports for the Miami New Times.
Beach Communities Resolving Tensions Between Residents and Rentals
In the three Cities that encompass Anna Maria Island and many other Beach Communities across Florida, tourism is a constant source of tension between Permanent Residents, Travelers and the Business Community. Zac Anderson reports for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Insurance Coalition Says Companies Are Forcing Floridians off Prescribed Medications
A Coalition of 36 Patient and Provider organizations known as the Floridians for Reliable Health Coverage today released results of a Survey showing that a majority of Floridians living with Chronic Health Conditions have experienced “Non-Medical Switching”— Insurance Coverage Reductions which pressure patients to switch their Prescription Medications.
Miami Superdonor Stephen Bittel Blows Out Contenders, Wins Florida Democratic Party Chairman Job
Bittel is a Progressive Donor and Supporter of Candidates and causes including Teach For America and the New Leaders Council. He also served as National Finance Co-Chair for the DNC. Allison Nielsen reports for SunshineStateNews.com.
Ingoglia Seals the Deal, Trounces Ziegler for Republican Party of Florida Chair
Republican Party of Florida Chairman Blaise Ingoglia can hold his Title for a little longer — on Saturday, Ingoglia sealed his fate as the Party’s New Chair, knocking out Opponent Christian Ziegler in one of the nastiest Chair Races in Party History. Allison Nielsen reports for SunshineStateNews.com.
· At Annual Meeting, Republicans Contemplate Their Place at the Top After Election Wins
Sunshine Economy: Florida’s Finances
As the 2017 State Legislative Session approaches, Lawmakers and Governor Rick Scott already have been talking about their shopping lists of new ideas about how to spend taxpayers’ money. Tom Hudson reports for WLRN.org.
Human Trafficking Cases Increase 50 Percent in Florida
The Florida Department of Children and Families says Florida received 1,892 reports of Human Trafficking—a 54 Percent Increase from the previous year. The Associated Press reports via the Tampa Tribune.
These Are The Gun Law Changes Florida Lawmakers Could Take Up In 2017
Legislators have proposed several Law Changes for the upcoming 2017 Session that would either expand or restrict gun ownership and possession. The Miami Herald’s Kristin M. Clark reports.
Rick Scott to Host Jobs Summit in Orlando
Governor Rick Scott will focus on Jobs during a Summit in Orlando next month, Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster reports for FloridaPolitics.com.
The California Department of Insurance says State Farm is not moving fast enough to lower its Rates for Homeowners and Renters and it could face Billions of Dollars in Fines if it doesn’t speed up the process. James Rufus Koren reports for the Los Angeles Times.
U.S. Insurers Get Inside Cars, Mouths, Grocery Carts in Profit Search
Insurers hungry for more Real-Time Information on their Customers that they say lets them Assess Risk more accurately and Set Rates accordingly. Suzanne Barlyn reports for Reuters.
U.S. Supreme Court to Decide If Employee Arbitration Clauses Are Enforceable Nationwide
The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday agreed to consider whether Companies can head off costly Class Action Lawsuits by forcing Employees to give up their Right to Pursue Work-Related Legal Claims in Court as a Group. Reuters reports via Insurance Journal.
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