Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report–Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Jun 10, 2014
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Daily Florida Insurance-Related Events
10:00 a.m.–U.S. House Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Oversight Hearing: “Whole Lotta Shakin’: An Examination of America’s Earthquake Early Warning System Development and Implementation.” To view the hearing notice, click here.
Daily Florida Insurance-Related News
Everglades fire blankets South Florida in smoke
Smoke from Everglades wildfire blankets South Florida, reduces air quality, the Sun-Sentinel’s Ken Kaye reports.
U.S. Supreme Court sides against Big Tobacco in Florida litigation
The U.S. Supreme Court denied a tobacco industry appeal Monday in Florida litigation that stretches back almost two decades, Stephen Nolgren reports for the Tampa Bay Times.
Four Florida Veterans Administration sites part of probe
Four Veterans Affairs health facilities in Florida are among 112 being investigated for possibly manipulating appointment schedules to hide long wait times for veterans seeking medical treatment, according to an internal agency audit released Monday, Ledyard King reports for FloridaToday.com.
Firefighters Hurt on the Job: Florida Justices Will Decide Legality of 2-Year Limit on Benefit
A firefighter who was severely injured on the job got two years of total disability, but was denied more when he applied. His attorneys argue that the two-year limit on temporary benefits is unconstitutional, FlaglerLive.com reports.
Judges says Rivera violated ethics laws by double-dipping on expenses
An administrative law judge is calling for Florida’s ethics commission to find that former State Representative David Rivera improperly received state travel reimbursements and did not adequately disclose financial information, THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA reports via the “Naked Politics” blog.
New immigrant-tuition law takes center stage in Florida governor’s race
Scott lauds lower tuition for illegal immigrants and citizens; Democrats find the timing convenient, the Florida Times-Union reports.
Scott wants “detailed conversation” on All Aboard Florida project
Governor Rick Scott on Monday called on developers of a private railroad project to take more steps in response to questions and concerns of residents living who may be affected by All Aboard Florida, the first passenger train service on Florida’s east coast in five decades, Tampa Bay Times’ Steve Bousquet reports.
Florida still leads nation in foreclosure activity
Even as Florida’s housing market has made major strides toward recovery, foreclosures grind on, the Miami Herald’s Martha Brannigan reports.
Parties Attack With Web Ads in Gubernatorial Race
With five months to go in the Florida gubernatorial contest, the two major parties took to cyberspace on Monday, launching new Web videos attacking the leading candidates in the race, Kevin Derby reports for SunshineStateNews.com.
Political Dominos Could Fall if FSU Selects John Thrasher
The clock is ticking for First Coast politicians as John Thrasher continues his efforts to become the next president of Florida State University, Jeff Henderson reports for SunshineStateNews.com.
Legislature’s problem? Maybe not what you think, Tom Lee says
Asked this week about the low number of bills passed during this year’s legislative session, state Sen. Tom Lee told a group in Brandon the dysfunction lies not in the bills, but the amendments, the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Florida tops the list of most stressed-out states
For many people Florida is a place to kick back, relax and leave worries behind, but for the millions of people who live in the Sunshine State year-round, things aren’t always that easy, Orlando Sentinel’s Adrienne Cutway reports.
Over 30 organizations from around the country urged the U.S. Treasury Department’s Federal Insurance Office to collect data from insurance companies in order to assess the affordability of auto insurance for low- and moderate-income Americans and those living in historically underserved communities, the Consumer Federation of America reports.
Massachusetts Department of Insurance Rejects FAIR Plan Rate Increase
Massachusetts Commissioner of Insurance Joseph G. Murphy announced Monday his decision rejecting the Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriting Association’s request to increase its statewide home insurance rates by an average of almost 7 percent, Insurance Journal reports.
Texas Workers’ Comp Commissioner to Resign August 1
Texas Workers’ Compensation Commissioner Rod Bordelon plans to resign from his post effective August 1, Insurance Journal reports.
Endurance Starts Offer for Aspen in $3.2 Billion Hostile Bid
Endurance Specialty Holdings Ltd. began an exchange offer for shares of Aspen Insurance Holdings Ltd. as part of a $3.2 billion effort to acquire the insurer, Bloomberg’s Zachary Tracer reports via National Underwriter’s PropertyCasualty360.com.
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