Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report – Wednesday, November 30, 2016

 

Nelson, Rubio praise decision to move hurricane planes to Lakeland

Florida Senators Bill Nelson and Marco Rubio praised a decision that will keep the federal government’s “Hurricane Hunters” fleet in Florida, though MacDill lost out to Lakeland on a 10-year lease.  The Tampa Bay Times’ Alex Leary reports via “The Buzz” blog.

 

Florida Insurance Office appeals ruling blocking workers’ comp premium hike

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation has appealed a trial court ruling blocking a 14.5 percent increase in workers’ compensation insurance premiums, putting that ruling on hold pending review by a state appeals court.  Michael Moline reports for FloridaPolitics.com.

 

Florida law causes homeowner to pay twice for roofing job

Florida’s construction lien law is stacked against consumers. If a supplier or subcontractor isn’t paid, they can file liens against the home and force the homeowner to pay twice.  WFTV reports.

 

CNN reports, eloquently, on the nightmare that is Florida Medicaid

People who study Medicaid for a living will not be surprised by anything in the damning new report from CNN, FloridaPolitics.com columnist Florence Snyder reports.

 

Negron names Simpson, others to leadership posts

Senate President Joe Negron put the finishing touches on his leadership team Tuesday, tapping Republican Senator Wilton Simpson of Trilby as majority leader and handing out committee assignments to all 40 members.  THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Brandon Larrabee reports via SayfieReview.com.

• Negron’s committee chairs outline chamber’s new power structure
• With dual role, Flores will wield power over insurance, health care policy
• Senate Democrats not completely shut out of power in Negron administration

 

Jack Latvala, Jeff Brandes will help control the purse strings in Tallahassee next year

When the dust cleared in Tallahassee on Tuesday, one thing was clear:  Pinellas County was on top when it comes to the state’s funds.  Anne Lindberg reports for SaintPetersBlog.com.

 

Governor Rick Scott’s key job creation agency gets new leader

Enterprise Florida agreed on Wednesday – with Scott in attendance during the entire two-hour meeting – to hire former Tampa state Representative Chris Hart IV to run the embattled quasi-governmental agency that oversees the recruiting of businesses to relocate to Florida.  The Miami Herald’s Jeremy S. Wallace reports via the “Naked Politics” blog.

 

Georgia-Florida water wars trial resumes in Maine

The never-ending legal battle between Georgia and Florida over the waters of the Chattahoochee and Flint rivers is likely to reach a critical juncture this week after a month of testimony in the latest “water wars” trial.  Dan Chapman reports for the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

 

Rentals, second homes and commercial properties face big tax hike without state constitution fix

The Florida Legislature is taking the first steps toward preventing an historic property tax increase that would affect commercial properties, second homes and rental properties.  The Miami Herald’s Jeremy S. Wallace reports via the “Naked Politics” blog.

 

Florida trade leaders balk at Trump’s NAFTA talk

Some people involved with Florida’s international trade efforts hope President-elect Donald Trump‘s campaign threat to ditch the North American Free Trade Agreement is mostly bluster.  THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Jim Turner reports via the Orlando Sentinel.

 

Lawmakers prepare different approaches to cannabis implementation

After an overwhelming majority of Floridians approved an expansion of medical marijuana in the state, lawmakers are preparing to hash out the regulatory set-up for the growing industry.  Daniel Ducassi reports for Politico Florida.

 

Florida to pay prison whistleblowers $800,000 to end lawsuit

Years after three prison investigators came forward with evidence of inmate abuse and cover-ups at the Florida Department of Corrections, the state has agreed to settle a retaliation lawsuit – and pay them $800,000.  The Miami Herald’s Mary Ellen Klas reports via the Tampa Bay Times.

 

Profits flat at Florida financial institutions

Florida’s lenders failed to keep pace with the U.S. banking industry, which posted a 13 percent jump in profits in the quarter, John Hielscher notes for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

 

Fitch Changes Property and Casualty Insurance Industry Sector Outlook to Negative

Fitch Ratings has changed the fundamental sector outlook for the U.S. property/casualty insurance sector to negative from stable, reflecting recent declines in profitability and anticipated further earnings deterioration in 2017 due to more competitive market conditions, according to Fitch Ratings’ 2017 Outlook report for U.S. Property/Casualty Insurance.

 

London Insurers List 4 Priorities for Brexit Negotiations

The objectives outline arrangements that will help the City of London “maintain its position as the largest global center for commercial and specialty risk,” said the International Underwriting Association, which issued the objectives on behalf of its memberships, the international and wholesale re/insurance companies operating in or through London.

 

 

 

Click here to follow Colodny Fass on Twitter (@ColodnyFassLaw)

 

 

 

 

 

To unsubscribe from this newsletter, please send an e-mail to colodnyfassnews@gmail.com.