Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Wednesday, January 22
Jan 22, 2014
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Daily Florida Insurance-Related Events
There are no insurance-related events scheduled for today.
Daily Florida Insurance-Related News
Scott appoints two to Citizens Property Insurance Board
Gov. Rick Scott filled two of the three empty seats on the state-run Citizens Property Insurance Corp. board on Friday, Gray Rohrer reports for The Florida Current.
Retiring Miami-Dade County building chief rewrote construction rules after Hurricane Andrew
Nearly three hours into a conversation – and 26 years on the job – the man who made stronger construction standards his crusade when he rewrote the Miami-Dade County building code after Hurricane Andrew remains filled with the fervor for reform, Patricia Mazzei blogs for the Miami Herald’s “Naked Politics.”
Florida Bill Would Restrict Insurers in Underwriting Gun Owners
Florida lawmakers say they want to protect policyholders’ second amendment rights to bear firearms by preventing insurers from issuing, renewing or canceling a policy based on whether the policyholder possesses a gun, Michael Adams reports for Claims Journal.
PBS to re-air “South Florida’s Rising Seas”on January 29
A documentary to air again on January 29 called “South Florida’s Rising Seas” is not just about science, Rebekah Keida writes for Florida International University’s Student Media. It zeroes in on the political roadblocks that prevent the long term measures and legislation needed. The “political will” may only show itself when it is already too late.
Miami lawmaker pitches longshot bill for Medicaid expansion
The debate over Medicaid expansion will return to the Florida Legislature this year, thanks to a state senator from Hialeah, the Miami Herald/Tampa Bay Times Tallahassee team of Tia Mitchell and Kathleen McGrory report.
Competition for Eisnaugle file for House 44 special election
Former state Rep. Eric Eisnaugle stepped down last year when his Florida House of Representatives district was merged with Steve Precourt’s, and then stepped up, seeking to reclaim the seat when Precourt resigned earlier this month, Scott Powers blogs for the Orlando Sentinel’s “Central Florida Political Pulse.”
Scott announces $55 million for springs to mixed reaction
Governor Rick Scott on Tuesday announced he will propose a 2014-15 state budget with $55 million for springs protection, which is less than some senators want but is more than is in this year’s budget, The Florida Current’s Bruce Ritchie reports.
Florida Board of Education renames academic standards
The state has renamed the academic benchmarks used to measure student learning gains, teacher performance and school grades the “Florida Standards.” Education Commissioner Pam Stewart Tuesday called the decision appropriate, The Florida Current’s James Call reports.
Scott opposes medical marijuana initiative
Governor Rick Scott, who opposes a pending constitutional amendment that would let doctors prescribe marijuana for debilitating medical conditions, said Tuesday he will enforce whatever implementing laws might be passed if the issue gets on the 2014 election ballot and wins approval by Florida voters, The Florida Current’s Bill Cotterell reports.
Under proposed law, utilities could not charge for nuclear plants before they’re built
A House Democrat on Tuesday filed a proposed constitutional amendment that would prevent utilities from charging customers for new power plants until the facilities start operating, THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA reports via the Ocala Star-Banner.
Florida’s next lieutenant governor is known as a behind-the-scenes dealmaker
In the final frenzied days of the state’s legislative session, the Florida House speaker had a problem that only Carlos Lopez-Cantera could help fix, the Miami Herald’s Marc Caputo and Patricia Mazzei explain.
Florida legislators already have filed dozens of bills creating exemptions to the state’s open records law, widely considered the best in the country, Tampa Tribune’s James Rosica reports.
U.S. Senate Links Agent Licensing Reform with Flood Insurance Delay
There is a new political wrinkle in the attempt to stave off flood insurance rate hikes across the country, Andrew G. Simpson reports for Insurance Journal.
Citizens Raising Homeowner Insurance Rates in Louisiana
East Baton Rouge Parish homeowners who buy coverage from Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corp. would see rates increase an average of 9.9 percent while wind-only policies would jump by 17.1 percent under a proposed rate filing, Associated Press reports via Claims Journal.
State Farm Raising Auto Insurance Rates in Louisiana
State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance, which covers about one in every three cars in Louisiana, is raising insurance rates for drivers, Associated Press reports via Claims Journal.
Advanced Storm Warnings Will Be Broadened
The Storm Prediction Center intends to broaden its advance warning system for severe weather after finding that days it labeled with a “slight risk” turned out to be pretty nasty, Associated Press’ Kelly P. Kissel reports via Claims Journal.
Insurers Mostly Unprepared for Third Wave of Asbestos Exposure
Insurers may be underestimating their exposure to a coming “third wave of asbestos liabilities” by relying on outdated assumptions and not accounting for factors such as longer life expectancy and advances in medical knowledge, a research firm says. National Underwriter’s Phil Gusman reports for PropertyCasualty360.com.
The Difference Between a Hurricane, Cyclone and Typhoon
HURRICANE? CYCLONE? TYPHOON? They’re all the same, officially tropical cyclones. But they just use distinctive terms for a storm in different parts of the world, Associated Press’ Seth Borenstein reports for Claims Journal.
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