Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report – Wednesday, May 31, 2017
May 31, 2017
Florida Workers’ Comp Reimbursement Regulation Headed for Administrative Challenges
The Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation’s efforts to extract itself from Contract Disputes between Insurance Companies and Medical Providers have drawn Administrative Challenges, scheduled for Hearings next month. FloridaPolitics.com reports.
Tallahassee Named Most Dangerous City in Florida
Tallahassee, Florida’s State Capital, also appears to be the State’s Crime Capital. There were 767 Violent Crimes in Tallahassee for every 100,000 Residents in 2015, far more than in any of the State’s 21 other Metro Areas monitored by the FBI.
Can You Lose Voting Rights in Florida for Driving with a Suspended License?
“Florida, where Retirees and Democracy Go To Die.” Politifact Florida explores the issue.
Special Session Likely to Include Pot
Anticipating some red ink from Governor Rick Scott, Legislative Leaders are preparing for a Mid-to Late-June Special Session that will almost certainly include Medical Marijuana. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA reports.
House Releases Document Listing State Budget Line Items By County
The House released a County-by-County list of Budget Line Items Tuesday. FloridaPolitics.com reports.
Ring Takes Plunge into State CFO Race
After months of speculation that he would run, Former Democratic State Sen. Jeremy Ring has become the first Candidate to formally emerge in the 2018 Race for State Chief Financial Officer. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Jim Saunders reports via SayfieReview.com.
Alex Diaz de la Portilla, Annette Taddeo and Ana Rivas Logan Qualify for Senate District 40
Candidates barreled out of the starting gate Tuesday for the abbreviated qualifying period for Candidates to fill the open Senate District 40 Seat in Miami, vacated by the Resigned Senator Frank Artiles. The Miami Herald’s Mary Ellen Klas reports via the Naked Politics blog.
· There’s a Real He-Man on Florida Ballot
15 Big Questions Facing Florida Politics Heading Into Summer
With a tumultuous Legislative Session in our rearview mirror and a jam-packed Election Cycle on the horizon, the answers to these 14 Questions (plus a fill-in-the-blank) could shape the future of the State. FloridaPolitics.com Publisher Peter Schorsch writes.
· Criminal Justice Reform Remains a Top Priority for Jeff Brandes
Even in Dry Conditions, Zika Threat Looms in Florida
So far this year, Florida has had 50 Cases of “Travel-Related” Zika — people infected elsewhere who brought the Disease into the State. That lags behind where Florida was at this point in 2016. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Jim Turner reports via the Tampa Bay Times.
Florida Loves its Troopers, Right up Until Payday
Tampa Bay Times Columnist John Romano wonders how Trooper Pay in Florida compares with other State Employees, considering the Occupational Hazards and Expectations unique to different jobs.
Miami Megamall is Biggest in U.S. — But Don’t Call it a Mall
Call it Retail-Tainment. Just don’t call American Dream Miami a Mall. The Associated Press reports via FloridaPolitics.com.
After Decade of Flatlining Wages in Florida, Does Recent Upswing Hint of Better Pay Ahead?
After Flatlining for much of this Decade, Florida Paychecks have registered a modest bump in the past few years. “The Recent Increase in Wages’ growth might end a long stagnation spell,” says a recent Analysis by the University of Florida’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research. The Tampa Bay Times’ Robert Trigaux reports.
U.S. Supreme Court Tightens Rules on Where Companies Can Be Sued
The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday tightened Rules on where Injury Lawsuits may be Filed, handing a Victory to Corporations by undercutting the ability of Plaintiffs to bring Claims in Friendly Courts in a Case involving Texas-Based BNSF Railway Co. Reuters’ Andrew Chung reports.
Financial Institution Regulatory Agencies Issue Advisory on Appraiser Availability
Financial Industry Representatives, during the Economic Growth and Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act (EGRPRA) Review Process, raised concerns regarding the timeliness of Appraisals, which they attributed to shortfalls in the availability of State-Certified and -Licensed Appraisers, particularly in Rural Areas.
Final Approval Delayed on Liability Insurance Reinstatement Project
The American Law Institute’s Liability Insurance Restatement Project was expected to be Approved last week, but instead the Group is planning another year of Preparatory Work. New Meetings will be held later this year, and a Decision is expected in the first half of next year. Insurance Journal reports via the PCI SmartBrief.
PwC and the Centre for the Study of Financial Innovation have joined forces to gather responses from Senior Insurers and Close Observers of the Financial Scene to learn what they see as the biggest Threat.
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