Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report–Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Jan 20, 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
Florida Legislature: Interim Committee Meetings–Week of January 20
Wednesday, January 21
- 10:00 a.m.--Florida House of Representatives Insurance and Banking Subcommittee.
- Florida Office of Insurance Regulation Overview
- 1:00 p.m.–Florida House Government Operations Appropriations Subcommittee
- Florida Office of Insurance Regulation Legislative Budget Request
- 3:30 p.m.–Florida Senate Committee on Banking and Insurance
- SB 130 relating to the Florida Catastrophic Storm Risk Management Center by Senator Alan Hays
Looking Ahead–Interim Committee Meetings
- Week of February 2, 2015
- Week of February 9, 2015
- Week of February 16, 2015
Daily Florida Insurance-Related News
Florida Supreme Court Reinforces Exclusive Remedy. For Now.
The beleaguered Florida workers’ compensation system got a shot in the arm last week when Florida’s highest court ruled that workers’ compensation law bars injured workers from seeking additional benefits in civil court.
New plan calls for Miami-Dade mayor to take lead on sea rise
Miami-Dade County’s task force on rising seas wants the county mayor to take the reins on the mounting problem and will propose a suite of resolutions before commissioners this week to address the issue. The Miami Herald’s Jenny Staletovich reports via the “Naked Politics” blog.
Jacksonville Could Crack Down on Transportation Network Companies This Week
Stricter penalties for unlicensed UberX and Lyft drivers could be discussed by the Jacksonville City Council this week after talks were delayed two weeks ago. Christopher Hong reports for the Florida Times-Union.
Support builds for Medicaid expansion in Florida
For the past two years, the Republican-dominated Florida House has turned away federal funds intended to expand healthcare coverage to nearly a million uninsured Floridians. The Miami Herald’s Kathleen McGrory reports via the “Naked Politics” blog.
Florida surpasses North Carolina in offering fewest weeks of jobless insurance benefits
North Carolina no longer offers the nation’s lowest number of weekly unemployment insurance benefits, according to the Winston-Salem Journal.
Trying to make premium payment, elderly driver crashes into Central Florida insurance office
An elderly driver, pulling in to make a payment at an insurance business in Holly Hill, hit the front of the building on Monday, officials said.
Florida Senate panel to review Department of Corrections abuse allegations
The Florida Senate’s Criminal Justice Committee will grill Governor Rick Scott’s newly appointed prisons secretary, Julie Jones, at a hearing today, and other senators have independently sought answers after the Miami Herald began an investigation last year into questionable deaths of several inmates in Florida prisons. The Miami Herald’s Mary Ellen Klas reports.
Scott spat with Florida Department of Law Enforcement chief has roots in Orange County
The Tampa Bay Times and Miami Herald have been reporting on the alleged resignation of Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Gerald Bailey, who claims Scott forced him out because he wouldn’t follow politically motivated orders. The Orlando Sentinel notes the story in the “Central Florida Political Pulse” blog.
Hillsborough case at heart of Florida Supreme Court arguments on judges’ fundraising
Which is worse? Allowing a candidate to ask for money openly and have the voters take this into account when casting their ballot? Or perpetuating a lie that the candidate is completely removed from all fundraising activities, leaving the electorate ignorant when they make their choice? Tampa Bay Times’ Alex Leary explores the question.
Florida had nation’s highest foreclosure rate last year
The number of properties that lenders repossessed in foreclosures nationwide last year is at an eight-year low, but Florida continued to have the nation’s highest foreclosure rate in 2014. The Associated Press reports via the Bradenton Herald.
New Florida GOP Chair Ingoglia: No call yet from Rick Scott but we will be unified
Florida’s mighty Republican Party is in a state of uncertainty following a giant upset victory Saturday of a charismatic, new party chairman who immediately signaled he won’t be yet another rubber stamp for elected Republicans in Tallahassee. Tampa Bay Times’ Adam Smith reports via “The Buzz” blog.
Florida Times-Union calls Doc Renuart best choice to succeed John Thrasher
Filling John Thrasher’s large and impressive shoes will be a challenge, one with an ensuing clash between two political veterans: State Representatives Ronald “Doc” Renuart and Travis Hutson. SaintPetersBlog.com’s Phil Ammann reports.
Miami judge finds fists a potentially lethal threat in Stand Your Ground ruling
Florida’s State Attorney’s Office is now appealing a judge’s decision to dismiss the second-degree murder charge in a Stand Your Ground case, the Miami Herald’s David Ovalle reports.
Fitch: New International Insurance Regulations Pose No Threat to Ratings
Fitch Ratings says that insurers’ ratings are likely to be unaffected by the significant changes to international regulation coming into force over the next few years, Reuters reports.
Amherst wins court battle over $3.1 million insurance settlement
A judge has ruled in favor of the Town of Amherst in its legal battle to recoup more than $3 million involving a roof inspection liability case that dates back more than a decade. Jay Rey reports for the Buffalo News.
With global warming, why not all El Niño all the time?
With the Earth warming to record levels, it might seem like El Niño should be a permanent fixture and knock down hurricanes every year, the Sun-Sentinel’s Ken Kaye reports.
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