Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Wednesday, September 11
Sep 11, 2013
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 Annual Membership and Board of Governors meetings. Sarasota, Florida. To access the agendas, click here.
Daily Florida Insurance-Related News
$1.8 Million Federal Grant Will Map North Florida Sinkhole Risk Areas
A $1 million federal grant given to the Florida Geological Survey and the Florida Division of Emergency Management will help map areas of higher risk in the state, reports Stephanie Fuenmayor on North Central Florida’s WUFT-TV.
Soaring flood insurance rates fuel anxiety in Florida real estate
Nearly 40 real estate agents packed the sweltering conference room in downtown St. Petersburg this week to hear flood insurance expert Pete Travis describe the new – and expensive – world coming Oct. 1, reports Jeff Harrington for the Tampa Bay Times.
African Rock Python Kills 60-Pound Siberian Husky in Miami-Dade Residential Neighborhood
A North African python, also known as a rock python, appears to be breeding freely in the Miami-Dade suburbs at the edge of the Everglades, Craig Pittman reports for the Tampa Bay Times via the Miami Herald.
Cyclists want to close legal loophole encouraging drunk drivers to flee an accident
Florida law gives drunk drivers an incentive to take off after a crash. If they stay at the scene, they will likely face harsher penalties for DUI, explains Kathleen McGrory for the Tampa Bay Times.
Researchers find Affordable Care Act produces no significant increase for Florida premiums
While it is unclear how much Florida consumers will pay once coverage starts in January, the Kaiser Family Foundation attempted to determine whether the ACA will produce a sticker shock — an increase in premium rates, The Florida Current’s James Call reports.
Scott starts tax-cut “listening tour”
Florida Governor Rick Scott began a campaign-style “listening tour” of five Florida cities Tuesday to hear what revenue reductions should be in his planned $500 million tax cut, starting with a dart at his likely opponent in next year’s re-election race: former Governor Charlie Crist, The Florida Current’s Bill Cotterell reports.
Businesses seek Florida cuts in commercial lease taxes, more money for startups
Gov. Rick Scott met with business leaders in Broward and Palm Beach counties on Tuesday to get their input on what tax cuts he should propose to the legislature since the state will have a budget surplus in 2014, Marcia Heroux Pounds reports for the Sun Sentinel.
Florida business community may back Scott in 2014, if only by default
Business leaders increasingly say it still helps to have a governor so willing to pick up the phone and personally urge some distant executive to expand in Florida, writes Robert Trigaux for the Tampa Bay Times.
“Faster foreclosures” law unintentionally slows Florida filings
The controversial Florida law intended to whisk foreclosures through court has instead led thousands to pile up, prolonging the agony of the state’s housing crisis, new court data show, Drew Harwell writes for the Tampa Bay Times.
Comings and goings in budget offices for Florida Governor, Senate
Change is coming to the budget offices of Gov. Rick Scott and Senate President Don Gaetz, with a historical twist, Steve Bousquet writes for the Tampa Bay Times.
Florida Governor in middle of education battle
Florida Governor Rick Scott is in the middle of a tug-of-war over education that could reshape the state’s schools while also turning upside down the 2016 presidential race, Associated Press’ Gary Fineout writes for the Tampa Tribune.
Blog: Former Congressman E. Clay Shaw Jr. dies after battle with cancer
Former U.S. Rep. E. Clay Shaw died Tuesday evening after a lengthy battle with lung cancer. He was 74, reports Mary Ellen Klas for the Miami Herald.
Sunshine Law Issues, “Prolific Exodus” of Public Officials Prompts Residents’ Lawsuit in Tiny Town
Located about 40 minutes west of Orlando, Groveland, a town of about 8,700 residents, was Florida’s fastest-growing municipality between 2000 and 2010, with its population increasing 189 percent, the Florida Center for Investigative Journalism notes on the story from the Daily Commercial newspaper.
NARAB II Bill Passes in U.S. House
The House today overwhelmingly passed legislation that would provide a mechanism for establishing true nonresident licensing reciprocity for insurance agents, Arthur Postal reports for National Underwriter’s PropertyCasualty360.com.
Insurance Pros in Politics: Agent Ted Gaines Eyes California Insurance Commissioner Seat
From agent to politician state Sen. Ted Gaines wants back in the insurance business – this time as the state’s top regulator of the industry, Don Jergler reports for Insurance Journal.
New Reverse Mortgage Rules Coming September 30, 2013
Starting September 30th, new rules are being set in place and will limit the amount of money senior citizens can take out of their equity overall, limit who qualifies and will require a financial assessment for all reverse mortgage applicants to ensure they have the capability to repay the loan, reports Alex Ferreras on LoanSafe.org.
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