Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report–Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Feb 11, 2015
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Daily Florida Insurance-Related Events
There are no events scheduled for today.
Daily Florida Insurance-Related News
Uber, Lyft sued in Miami federal court
Paralyzed by how to regulate Uber and Lyft, Miami-Dade County has for more than half a year essentially allowed the illegal ride-for-hire services to exist – under the continued threat of fines and car impoundings – while politicians figure out their next move. The Miami Herald’s Patricia Mazzei reports via the “Naked Politics” blog.
Florida Hurricane Insurance Takeout Targets 79,000
The ongoing depopulation of Citizens Property Insurance Corporation continued Tuesday with the approval by Florida’s insurance regulator to “takeout” over 79,000 residential and commercial property insurance policies. RiskMarketNewsPro.com reports.
Kading: Expand Global Insurance Markets; Oppose Isolationist Regulation
In remarks delivered yesterday at the Reinsurance Association of America’s Cat Risk Management Conference in Orlando, Brad Kading, president of the Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers, the association representing the interests of 21 commercial insurers and reinsurers with underwriting operations in Bermuda, highlighted the enormous opportunity that would result from expanding insurance markets in both the developed and developing world.
Why Florida drivers are making videos of themselves refusing to talk to police at DUI checkpoints
Officials point to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 1990 that upheld the use of random DUI checkpoints and concluded that “they don’t violate constitutional protections against unreasonable search and seizure,” according to the AP. Peter Holley reports for the Washington Post.
Lawmakers scramble to plug $1.3 billion deficit in health budget
State lawmakers were scrambling to find $1.3 billion to plug a sudden budget deficit after a top Medicaid chief said Tuesday that Florida will lose federal money to help hospitals treat poor and uninsured patients, Michael Van Sickler and Dan Chang report for the Tampa Bay Times.
Medicaid expansion debate continues
While some influential business groups have come out in support of Florida taking federal Medicaid expansion money with conditions attached, it remains to be seen if their idea gains traction during the March legislative session, Christopher Curry reports for the Gainesville Sun.
Alachua County commissioners say no to fracking in Florida
Alachua County leaders sent a clear signal Tuesday that they will not welcome fracking here or anywhere else in Florida, the Gainesville Sun reports.
Pam Bondi: Stop selling synthetic drugs at your gas stations
Attorney General Pam Bondi joined her counterparts in 42 other states in asking nine oil companies to urge their gas station franchises to stop selling synthetic drugs, especially synthetic marijuana. The Palm Beach Post’s Christine Stapleton reports in the “Post on Politics” blog.
Two Florida corrections inspectors sue to block gag order
Faced with speaking up or losing their jobs, two inspectors with the Florida Department of Corrections asked a circuit court in Leon County on Monday to stop the agency from enforcing a new gag order they say is an attempt at intimidating them from discussing cases that are public record, the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Applications for sports subsidies get ranked; Orlando, Jacksonville come out on top
After agreeing to legislative leaders’ requests to analyze and rank four applicants seeking sports incentives from the state, the Office of Economic and Demographic Research puts the applications from the City of Orlando and the City of Jacksonville at the top of the list, according to a documents first obtained by FloridaPolitics.com. Peter Schorsch reports on SaintPetersBlog.com.
Millions in taxpayer incentives later, Office Depot leaving Florida
Office Depot is packing up its corporate bags and shipping out of the Sunshine State, but not before scoring millions in state and local taxpayer incentives, William Patrick reports for SaintPetersBlog.com.
New York Announces New, Targeted Cybersecurity Assessments for Insurers
New York State Department of Financial Services released a report on cybersecurity in the New York insurance industry and announced a series of measures that the agency will take to help strengthen cyber hacking defenses at insurers, Insurance Journal reports.
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