Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Tuesday, September 1, 2015
Sep 1, 2015
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Daily Florida Insurance-Related Events
There are no insurance-related events scheduled for today.
Daily Florida Insurance-Related News
Make sure Citizens is not overcharging in rate hike, advocate urges
Take a careful look at the 3.2 percent rate hike requested for 2016 by state-run Citizens Property Insurance, Florida’s new insurance consumer advocate is asking its top regulator in a letter. The Palm Beach Post’s Charles Elmore reports for the “Protecting Your Pocket” blog.
Shine light on flood insurance premium process
State Representative Bill Hager explains in the Palm Beach Post that he supports Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty and other members of the Legislature in calling on the federal government to come clean when it comes to determining how flood insurance rates are set.
Florida Officials Blame Affordable Care Act for Jump in Healthy Kids’ Insurance Rates
Thousands of children in the Florida Healthy Kids health-insurance program will see their rates jump as of October 1 – and state officials are blaming the federal Affordable Care Act. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Margie Menzel reports via the Daytona Beach News-Journal.
Senator Bill Nelson calls for independent commission for Florida congressional maps
U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, the only statewide elected Democrat in Florida, called Monday for the state to form an independent commission to handle legislative and congressional redistricting. WWSB-TV reports.
Galvano: Florida Senate won’t be led by coalition
The Florida Senate’s Republican leader, future Senate president Bill Galvano, has stayed quiet about the tough race to succeed him, but he said he wanted to be clear that one tactic is out of bounds: cutting deals with Democrats. Marc Caputo reports for PoliticoFlorida.com.
Controversy grows over plan to revamp issuance of millions of Florida driver licenses
Florida motorists enjoy getting their shiny new driver licenses on the spot, but the state is studying a possible change to a new system that’s stirring warnings of a possible “disaster” with drivers waiting up to two weeks for their cards. The Tampa Bay Times’ Steve Bousquet reports.
Solar energy fight heating up in Florida
A key step in a battle over the future of solar energy in Florida is set to take place Tuesday before the state Supreme Court, with advocates saying they are confident justices will clear their proposal for next year’s ballot. The Palm Beach Post’s John Kennedy reports via the “Post on Politics” blog.
Flagler, Among Top 10 Counties With Most Concealed-Weapon Licenses, Will Fast-Track Permitting
As of the end of July, there were 8,170 concealed weapons holders in Flagler County, or 8.24 concealed carry permits for every 100 residents. That’s the 10th highest rate out of 67 counties in Florida (Okaloosa, Monroe and Nassau top the list, in that order). The average in the state is just over 7 per 100 residents, FlaglerLive.com reports.
Rick Scott Heading To Kentucky In Push to Lure Business to Florida
Florida Governor Rick Scott is heading to another state led by a Democratic governor as part of his push to lure jobs to the Sunshine State. The Associated Press reports via Advisen.com.
District of Columbia Issues Price Optimization Ban Bulletin
The District of Columbia’s Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking issued a bulletin last week notifying property/casualty insurers doing business in the District that price optimization is discriminatory and that it violates the District’s anti-discrimination insurance laws. NationalInsuranceNews.com notes the Insurance Journal story.
Competition Increases in Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Race
Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon has picked up another challenge to his fall re-election bid, Insurance Journal reports.
U.S. Senate Cyber Bill Would Extend Liability Protections To Water Utilities
A revised version of cybersecurity legislation expected to be debated on the Senate floor in the coming weeks would extend liability protections and information sharing incentives to publicly owned utilities. The EPA Daily Briefing reports via Advisen.com.
Google now warns you of nearby hurricanes and tornadoes
Google has altered its search engine to help inform users of where the nearest extreme weather is, and how best to prepare for it. Gordon Hunt blogs for SiliconRepublic.com.
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