Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Wednesday, August 15
Aug 15, 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 Workers’ Compensation Joint Underwriting Association Audit Committee meeting. To view the meeting notice, click here. To view the agenda, click here.
Court sides with contractor over subrogation for damages from burst pipe
A federal district judge in Miami has sided with a heating, ventilation and air conditioning contractor against an insurer seeking subrogation for damages paid related to a burst pipe during Hurricane Katrina at a luxury condominium building in Miami.
Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH): We’re not as safe as we can be from hurricanes
Twenty years ago, Hurricane Andrew made landfall in South Florida in the middle of the night of Aug. 24. When residents from Key Largo to North Miami walked outside their homes the next morning, they gasped at a level of devastation that had never been seen before.
Fake Adjusters Scam Florida Drivers, Catastrophe Victims
While no state is immune to the fraud pandemic, Florida has long battled some of the most pernicious schemes plaguing the insurance industry.
Blog: Medicaid costs to grow even with Scott stiff-arm, economists say
State economists huddled Tuesday trying to make more sense of the financial impact of the federal Affordable Care Act, even though Florida Gov. Rick Scott is resisting every portion of the 2010 law whose key sections were upheld in June by the U.S. Supreme Court.
State economists punt on Affordable Care Act
Economists expect Florida’s share of covering more uninsured residents could increase by $1 billion in eight years.
County-by-county Florida primary results
In races where all of the candidates are from the same political party, the highest vote getter wins the race outright.
Primary Victories Push Joe Negron to Future Senate Presidency
If Charlie Crist is going to try a comeback for the Governor’s Mansion, he would be seeking to work with a legislature that would be even more conservative than when he was in office just two years ago.
Jeff Brandes Scores Victory for Joe Negron in Senate Leadership Battle
After a single term in the House, Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, is crossing the Capitol Rotunda for the 2013 session.
Fasano, Corcoran cruise to wins in Florida House races in Pasco County
State Sen. Mike Fasano is poised to rejoin his former colleagues in the Florida House of Representatives, including close friend state Rep. Richard Corcoran, who also cruised to victory Tuesday night.
Latvala earns commanding Florida Senate win; opponent refuses to concede
Even as political veteran Jack Latvala declared a landslide victory Tuesday in the Republican primary for state Senate District 20, his opponent refused to concede.
Blog: Miami Beach elects Florida’s first openly gay state legislator
Democrat David Richardson, a CPA from Miami Beach, was elected the state’s first openly gay state representative Tuesday, narrowly defeating three opponents in the open primary race.
Ellyn Bogdanoff Advances to Battle of Incumbents
State Sen. Ellyn Bogdanoff, R-Fort Lauderdale, easily dispatched a Republican challenger Tuesday to set up one of the few anticipated general election clashes among sitting senators.
Ex-Florida Senate President Tom Lee Scores Primary Victory Over Rachel Burgin
Republican voters declared they want to send former Senate President Tom Lee back to Tallahassee, opting for the longtime legislator in an ugly contest against Rep. Rachel Burgin, R-Riverview.
Bitter, Expensive Northeast Florida Campaign Ends in Victory for Aaron Bean
Former Rep. Aaron Bean moved a step closer to returning to Tallahassee, surviving a costly Republican primary expected to decide who will replace Sen. Steve Wise, R-Jacksonville, representing parts of Duval County and all of Nassau County.
John Legg Advances to Florida Senate
After eight years in the state House, Rep. John Legg, R-Port Richey, is heading to the Florida Senate.
Blog: A rough ride for “retreads” in legislative races
Tuesday’s primary election saw a bumper crop of former legislators seeking comebacks, most of them forced out by term limits. Some “retreads” did better than others.
Frank Farkas tops Daryle Hamel in Florida House District 68
Political veteran Frank Farkas will be the Republican candidate for state House District 68 after beating a political newcomer.
Nehr wins hands down in District 65 Florida House race
Incumbent Peter Nehr is one step closer to a fourth term in the state House of Representatives after cruising to an easy victory Tuesday in the Republican primary in House District 65.
Kelli Stargel Takes Down Two GOP Challengers in Florida Senate Primary
State Rep. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, is a small speed bump away from moving to the upper chamber.
Blog: Bullard swamps Saunders with strong showing in Miami-Dade
The second time was not the charm for Ron Saunders.
Rader one step closer in bid to Florida House
Former Rep. Kevin Rader took a giant step toward a return to the state Legislature Tuesday when he topped incumbent Rep. Steve Perman in the Democratic primary for the District 81 seat.
Former Alachua City Manager Clovis Watson elected to Florida House
Former Alachua City Manager Clovis Watson easily won election to the state House of Representatives for District 20, collecting 6,438 votes to 4,576 for Marihelen Wheeler across the two counties in the district.
Blog: Florida Legislature won’t include three Diaz de la Portillas
While Miguel Diaz de la Portilla walked into a second state Senate term with no opponent, his younger brothers, Alex and Renier faced a fight. After two bitterly fought primaries, the Republican brothers broke even. Alex won. Renier lost.
Tea Party Newbie Ted Yoho Gives the Boot to 24-Year Veteran Cliff Stearns
In what may well be one of the greatest congressional upsets in Florida history, large-animal veterinarian and political newcomer Ted Yoho scored a very narrow victory over 12-term congressman Cliff Stearns, R-Ocala, in one of Tuesday’s most hotly contested primary races.
Blog: Kristin Jacobs loses, says she’s supporting Lois Frankel
Kristin Jacobs, who lost the 22nd Congressional District primary on Tuesday, said she’s committed to helping victor Lois Frankel win the seat in November.
Allen West Knocks Out Sheriff Crowder, Faces Patrick Murphy in November
Incumbent Congressman Allen West has handily won his party’s nomination in the Republican primary in Florida’s U.S. Congressional District 18.
Rooney cruising to win in U.S. House District 17 race
Tom Rooney was headed to an easy win Tuesday night in the Republican primary for the 10-county District 17 U.S. House seat.
Carlos Lopez-Cantera, the popular state House Republican leader who pulled strings in Tallahassee to save the city of Miami from a $1.2 million tax burden on parking garages at the new Miami Marlins ballpark, was on his way to victory Tuesday night over Pedro J. Garcia to become Miami-Dade’s second elected property appraiser.
Gen Re Settlement Bounces Back to District Court
A federal court of appeals is sending back to district court a $72 million settlement General Reinsurance Corp. had with investors to resolve a securities class-action lawsuit.
Globalization has reached the insurance industry, making it increasingly important for regulators from around the world to communicate with one another to preserve markets and protect consumers, says the chairman of the International Association of Insurance Supervisors.
NAIC Launches WreckCheck App to Help Protect Privacy After an Accident
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners released a new mobile application to help guide policyholders on what information they should disclose after an auto accident.
Will the NAIC’s Center for Insurance Policy and Research Survive Terri Vaughan’s Departure?
I’ve just returned from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ summer meetings in Atlanta, where the big news was the announcement of NAIC CEO Terri Vaughan’s pending departure from the regulators group.
Newbie regulator Lawsky victor in bank battle
Benjamin Lawsky, the head of New York’s youngest regulatory agency, is playing with the big boys now.
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