Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Wednesday, April 18
Apr 18, 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 Events
10:00 a.m.–Florida Board of Employee Leasing Companies Board meeting. Teleconference: (888)-808-6959; conference code: 9226020. To view the meeting notice, click here. To view the agenda, click here.
10:00 a.m.–National Conference of Insurance Legislators (“NCOIL”) Conference Call. Teleconference: (412)-858-4600; reference NCOIL/NOLAN call.
Editorial: Florida makes progress on property insurance reform
Florida officials have taken a welcome and overdue step to downsize Citizens Property Insurance Corp., the state-created insurer.
State Representative Bill Hager: Legislature blew it on Catastrophe Fund
Just weeks ago the Florida Legislature ended its regularly scheduled session, and while some important legislation that benefits the citizens of this great state passed, legislation to address the much-needed reform of the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund failed.
Florida flood insurance put at risk
The Florida Legislature’s attempt to speed building permits and kickstart construction has inadvertently put the state’s homeowners in jeopardy of being booted out of the National Flood Insurance Program.
3 counties join effort to sue over disputed Medicaid bills
Several Central Florida counties plan to join a lawsuit to block a change in state law they say would force them to pay millions more than they owe for Medicaid services.
Governor Rick Scott signs $69.9 billion budget, cuts fewer projects than last year
Governor Rick Scott on Tuesday signed a state spending plan of nearly $69.9 billion after slashing $142.7 million in spending with his line-item veto.
- More than $12 million in water projects vetoed, but Governor Rick Scott keeps $5.6 million for St. Johns River
- Playing ball with lawmakers, Governor Rick Scott eases off his budget vetoes
- Governor Rick Scott’s health care vetoes hit young, old across the state
- Governor Rick Scott Vetoes Hit Hard on State’s Health-Care Facilities
- Governor Rick Scott: Economic payoffs must justify big incentives
- Tea Party Activists, Tax Watchdog Groups Pleased with Scott Budget
- Blog: Governor Rick Scott cuts $24.8 million in projects from Miami Dade and Broward
- Blog: One of Governor Rick Scott’s line-item vetoes — $250,000 for security at presidential debate at Lynn University
Welfare applications jump after injunction on drug testing
One month after a federal court judge in Miami issued a temporary injunction against a state law requiring welfare applicants to pass a drug test before receiving benefits, the number of applications and the amount paid out by the state rose significantly.
Conservatives Make Case for Jeff Atwater Senate Bid
Amid ongoing anxiety about the Republican field for U.S. Senate, Jeff Atwater is drawing interest and enthusiasm from conservative activists across Florida.
U.S. Forest Service says it will revisit Rodman Reservoir dam
Florida Defenders of the Environment and the Florida Wildlife Federation announced in February they would sue under the federal Endangered Species Act to remove the dam, built in the 1960s as part of the Cross Florida Barge Canal.
No charges to be filed against U.S. Representative David Rivera
U.S. Representative David Rivera will not face criminal charges following an 18-month investigation of his personal and campaign finances by the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, according to the Miami Herald.
Attorney Dave Hood enters state House race
A day after Fred Costello announced he would run for Congress rather than seek re-election to his Florida House seat, local attorney and former Ormond Beach Mayor Dave Hood announced plans Tuesday to seek Costello’s seat.
Former state Senator Mandy Dawson to plead guilty in tax case next week
Former state Senator Mandy Dawson is scheduled to plead guilty in a federal case that accuses her of income tax evasion, according to court records filed on Tuesday.
Party Disaffiliation Challenge: What’s the Meaning of 365 Days?
A Florida law that bars candidates from switching parties in the year before an election could face a court challenge on the grounds that it amounts to a lifelong ban.
America’s Dumbest Tax Loophole: The Florida Rent-a-Cow Scam
State tax codes have a way of accumulating junk — quirky breaks and carve-outs that grow increasingly odd as they linger on the books, like tacky old legislative souvenirs.
Mississippi’s governor signed a bill which avoided the possibility of 75,000 properties having to secure more expensive private insurance.
Editorial: Only a flicker of progress on Alabama insurance reform
A special session appears to be Alabama’s best hope for homeowners insurance reform this year.
Thousands housed in trailers after Katrina may get payments
More than 20 mobile home manufacturers have agreed to pay $14.8 million to thousands of U.S. hurricane victims who said they were harmed by formaldehyde in the trailers.
New York Times: Disabilities Act used by lawyers in a flood of suits
A small group of lawyers are exploiting the age and architectural peculiarities of New York City in order to file lawsuits based on alleged violations of the Americans With Disabilities Act.
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