Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Tuesday, May 1
May 1, 2012
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 Event
There are no insurance-related events scheduled for today.
Citizens Property Insurance seeks fewer customers, higher premiums
Citizens Property Insurance has some new ambitious goals: Move as many as 678,000 policyholders out of state-run insurance and once again become the “insurer of last resort.”
Letter to the Editor: Legislature not protecting residents from Citizens Property Insurance
Regarding last week’s front-page story, “Haridopolos departs with head held high,” I wonder how high his head is held knowing building permits were and are continuing to be issued in Barefoot Bay to build screened-in porches and carports, knowing Citizens Property Insurance no longer will insure them against hurricane damage.
News Release: Pasco Area Council of Neighborhood Associations to Hold May Sinkhole Panel
Members of the community are cordially invited to attend a panel discussion sponsored by the Pasco County Council Of Neighborhood Associations, Inc.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Ruskin office adding 3 to meet Bay emergencies
If a hurricane rolls in, the Tampa area is at risk of many environmental calamities, aside from the damage caused by 90 mph winds and a swamping storm surge.
Sinkhole shuts down part of State Road 52 in Land O’Lakes
Deputies shut down part of State Road 52 Monday morning due to a possible sinkhole.
A.M. Best Downgrades Ratings of Florida Commercial Auto Insurer Gateway Insurance Company
A.M. Best Co. has downgraded the financial strength rating to B (Fair) from B+ (Good) and issuer credit rating to “bb” from “bbb-” of Gateway Insurance Company. The outlook for both ratings is negative.
Question and Answer with Florida Deputy Health Secretary Kristina Wiggins
Midway through the 2012 session, 37-year-old Kristina Wiggins was named a deputy secretary at the mammoth Department of Health.
Supervisors OK’d to Use New Maps as Feds Uphold Congressional Lines
A Leon County judge rejected a move to block the Legislature’s new congressional lines on Monday as the U.S. Department of Justice cleared the new map under the federal Voting Rights Act.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement: Florida’s crime rate continues to drop
Florida’s crime rate has fallen to a four-decade low, according to statistics released Monday by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
State housing agency wants to loosen requirements for federal mortgage help program
The Florida Housing Finance Corporation board of directors has made it easier for qualifying homeowners struggling to make their mortgage payments to receive federal financial help.
Florida task force on self-defense laws to start work
A new Florida task force examining the state’s self-defense laws is finally meeting.
Blog: With justices under fire, Florida Bar launches voter campaign on merit retention
With three Florida Supreme Court justices facing a stiff ballot challenge, the Florida Bar announced Monday it is kicking off a $300,000 campaign to educate voters about the merit retention system for electing justices and appelate judges.
Is Senator Thad Altman Now Looking at Major GOP Primary Opposition?
Senator Thad Altman of Melbourne — described by some among the GOP faithful as “a moderate Republican” — could be facing major challenges from members of his own party as he prepares to run for a second term.
Virginia jury convicts Costa Rican man in $485 million reinsurance fraud
A federal jury in Virginia convicted a former Costa Rican insurance executive on Monday of all counts in a $485 million fraud scheme in which he was accused of lying to clients and investors about the financial stability of his company.
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