Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Wednesday, April 16

Apr 16, 2014

 

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

 

There are no events scheduled for today.

 

 

Daily Florida Insurance-Related News

 

Florida has hurricane lull before the storm, expert says

The National Hurricane Center director explained to Orlando Sentinel’s Kevin Spears that the lull in storms means many Floridians don’t know much about storm evacuations, don’t know how well their homes are insured and don’t have an overall plan for survival in the event of a catastrophe.

 

Citizens consolidates space, sending workers to Jacksonville

In a letter to board members last month Citizens Property Insurance CEO Barry Gilway announced the state-run company is consolidating some of its operations and downsizing part of its workforce, The Florida Current’s Gray Rohrer reports.

 

Federal judge signs agreement for $1.6 billion in Miami-Dade sewer repairs

Years in the making, a legal agreement is finally in place requiring Miami-Dade County to make $1.6 billion in repairs over the next 15 years to its decaying sewer system, the Miami Herald’s Patricia Mazzei reports.

 

Workers’ Comp Institute Opens Registration for Top Orlando Conference

The Workers’ Compensation Institute has opened registration for the 69th annual Workers’ Compensation Educational Conference, to be held August 17-24 at the Orlando World Center Marriott in Florida, National Underwriter’s PropertyCasualty360.com reports.

 

Task force members urge malpractice cap amendment

Following a Florida Supreme Court decision that struck down caps on certain awards in medical malpractice lawsuits, the members of a 2002 task force that recommended those limits are calling for a constitutional amendment that would place the caps on solid footing, Steve Miller reports for SaintPetersBlog.com.

 

State of Florida files first appeal or challenge to local land use decision since 2011

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity is appealing a development permit in Lake County in what is the first challenge or appeal to a local land use decision since the department was created, The Florida Current’s Bruce Ritchie reports.

 

Ho-Hum Session Not Just About Governor’s Race

Tax breaks are in. Gambling? No dice.  Lower tuition is OK, but alimony is a no-no, THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Dara Kam explains in SunshineStateNews.com.

 

Florida lawmakers litter budget with hometown projects

For lawmakers, the state’s economic rebound has re-kindled a feeding frenzy for hometown projects. The competing, $75 billion House and Senate budget plans lawmakers will hash out over the next three weeks are littered with hundreds of requests that lawmakers made for hometown water projects, street repairs, sea walls and even a gun range, according to budget records obtained by the Orlando Sentinel.  Aaron Deslatte reports via the Sun-Sentinel.

 

Geri Thompson Faces Gary Siplin in Senate Primary Battle

After months indicating there will be almost no competitive Florida Senate races this year, incumbent Geri Thompson drew a major foe this week in Gary Siplin who held the seat for a decade, Jeff Henderson reports for SunshineStateNews.com. 

 

Storm surge risks get their own graphics, warnings

Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center hope new color-coded maps they’re trying out this year will simplify two important points about storm surge for coastal residents: how far from the beach the water will spread and how high that water will rise, Associated Press’ Jennifer Kay reports via the Tallahassee Democrat.

 

FIO to Look Into Auto Insurance Affordability

The Federal Insurance Office has initiated a study looking into the affordability and availability of auto insurance, Phil Gusman reports for National Underwriter’s PropertyCasualty360.com.

 

Texas Windstorm Insurer Opens 24-Hour Claims Call Center

The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, the insurer of last resort for wind and hail along the Texas coast, reported it has established a Claims Call Center that is open 24 hours, seven days a week, Insurance Journal reports.

 

 

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